Trade union Unite has confirmed that medics who work on Shell platforms will be balloted for strike action, following the rejection of a real terms cut in pay.
It represents more than a dozen workers employed by United Healthcare Global Medical (UK), who provide medial cover on the oil giant’s platforms.
These include the Brent Charlie, Gannet Alpha, Shearwater, Nelson, Sole Pit Clipper and Leman Alpha platforms.
United Healthcare made a ‘final offer’ raise of 3.5% for medics.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our medics who work for United Healthcare deserve far more than what is a real terms pay cut.
“The company is swimming in profits to the tune of almost £9m, yet they refuse to share any of this with these lifesaving workers - our members will have their union’s full support in this fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Unite has warned United Healthcare that its offer is ‘completely unacceptable’ amid the deepening cost-of-living crisis, with inflation soaring to 11.8%.
The ballot will open on 11 August and close on the 8 September, with industrial action anticipated to begin in late September.
Unite industrial officer John Boland added: “The reality is that Shell’s platforms cannot operate safely without these medics.
“The offer on the table is completely unacceptable - the company needs to act now and make a better offer - so we will now ballot on strike action.”
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