North Sea offshore contractors are to stage two new rounds of strikes which will be the largest ever walkout seen in the sector so far.
Unite said that around 1,650 of their members are to strike over pay and conditions which comes after BP and Shell recorded “historic profits” of a combined £11.7 billion in the first quarter of this year.
Bilfinger UK Limited, Stork Technical Services and Sparrows Offshore Services contractor services will be affected by the strikes.
The offshore contractors will walkout from 06.30 on 1 June until 06.29 on 3 June, then again at 06.30 on 8 June until 06.29 on 10 June.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “With the support of their union Unite, an army of 1,650 offshore workers are taking the fight to multibillion oil and gas corporations.
“The latest rounds of strike action in June will see the biggest group of offshore workers to date taking strike action.
“Unfettered corporate profiteering at the expense of our members will not go unchallenged. Unite is determined to deliver better jobs, pay and conditions in the offshore sector, and deliver we will.”
John Boland, Unite’s industrial officer, said: “Unite’s members deserve a much bigger share of the bonanza profits being recorded by oil and gas operators than the real-terms pay cuts currently being offered.
“Around 1,650 members across the companies we are in dispute with remain determined, and fully focused on securing a better deal.
“Whether it is over delivering improved pay, fairer and safer working rotas or holidays, Unite has one simple message for the contractors and operators: we will stand up for our members, we hold you to account, and in the end we will win.”
