Hundreds of UK offshore workers move towards strike action in pay disputes

Around 350 UK offshore workers are set to take strike action or are being balloted for it in three separate disputes over jobs, pay, and conditions, the Unite union announced on July 24. Workers at Repsol, CNOOC, and MCL Medics are involved.

Over 200 Repsol workers have voted for strike action after rejecting a pay offer of a three per cent increase. The union said the ballot was 92.1 per cent in favour of action. A series of one-day strikes are now scheduled for August 6, 13, and 28, and September 4, which Unite claims will lead to the shutting down of eight Repsol platforms.

A further 130 workers at CNOOC are being balloted on industrial action, with the vote set to close on August 28. The dispute is over jobs, pay, and conditions, with the latest rejected pay offer amounting to a 4.25 per cent increase.

Separately, around twenty offshore medics employed by MCL Medics are being balloted for strike action in a dispute over pay and allowances. The ballot for the medics, who work on Harbour Energy assets, closes on August 26. Unite stated that no formal basic pay offer has been made to the medics.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the members are being forced into action due to "unacceptable pay offers". However, she added that, "there is still time to resolve these disputes and we would urge these companies to get back round the negotiating table before platforms are brought to a standstill."