Offshore supply chain workers will take the first in a series of planned strikes from this morning, over a long running dispute concerning pay and conditions.
More than 30 GMB members at Glenrothes-based FTV Proclad will start an initial 24 hour action from 07.00 hours until 06.59 hours on 12 January, having previously rejected a 3% pay rise proposal for 2022-23.
Workers are calling on the company, which is part of the Proclad Group - a solutions provider to the oil, gas and engineering sector - to table a significantly improved offer that helps tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
A further day of strike action involving GMB members is also scheduled on 18 January.
GMB Scotland organiser Chris Kennedy said: “A significantly below inflation pay offer from a self-styled global market and technological leader in offshore and engineering solutions is simply not credible.
“GMB members flatly rejected an initial pay freeze proposal from the company - after four consecutive years of pay freezes - and then also the three per cent increase most recently tabled, sending a loud and clear message about their expectations for pay and conditions.
“Proclad can go further on pay and if the company wants to avoid further strikes in the weeks to come then management must table an improved offer for our members consultation that demonstrates better value for the work they do.”
A spokesperson for the company responded that the dispute is only over pay and that management believe they have made a reasonable offer to the work force, based on financial affordability and current market rates.
“The company continues to recover financially from challenging market conditions and have stated that their priority is safeguarding jobs, points not recognised by GMB who have miscommunicated the company’s position in its discussions with employees, resulting in unreasonable demands being tabled.
“Management remains optimistic that common sense will prevail, and a practical solution can be reached.”
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