A long-running and bitter industrial dispute involving hundreds of North Sea contractors may be nearing an end.
Unite the Union confirmed today more than 700 workers employed by Bilfinger had voted in favour of a “vastly” improved wage offer.
It is a major breakthrough for the offshore oil and gas industry after many months of unrest involving numerous companies and legions of workers.
A spokesperson for Bilfinger said: “We’re pleased to have worked with Unite to bring forward an offer that our colleagues and clients agreed best supports our workers and their families.
“This deal enables our employees and our organisation, as co-signatories of the Energy Services Agreement (ESA – a bargaining pact between offshore contractors), to work together to ensure a secure and sustainable oil and gas industry.”
Other workers continue to strike
Bilfinger’s deal does not by itself bring a curtain down on industrial unrest in the sector.
Other workers are still pushing for better deals and Unite confirmed that 200 Sparrows and Stork workers downed tools today in the latest in a series of 48-hour strikes at sea.
But what was previously billed as a “tsunami” of industrial unrest is shrinking as more workers choose not to take part.
Smaller strikes and fewer firms
The number of employees downing tools has dropped since participation peaked at 1,650 in May.
Petrofac, Wood, Bilfinger, Stork and Sparrows were all involved at the start of the long-running dispute.
But the latest strike affects only Sparrows and “a small number” of Stork workers, Unite said.
The workers who are downing tools are on Apache assets – Forties and the Beryl field – and the Anasuria floating production storage and offloading vessel.
Stork said: “We remain focused on engaging with our employees, clients and the unions to bring the ongoing grievances to a timely resolution that protects and sustains employment opportunities, supports safety and operational continuity.
“This continues to be our priority.”
Historic pay deal
The offer to Bilfinger workers represents a further 6% increase on basic pay, on top of a 4% rise secured in January.
It means some workers have received a 19% increase in less than a year, once other awards made by the contractor in November are taken into account.
For an advanced scaffolder, the deal will lead to a £5.15p hourly rise, Unite said, and “constitutes the highest annual pay increase ever in the North Sea for Bilfinger contractors”.
Unite general-secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has secured a vastly improved wage deal for our Bilfinger members. The deal only came about due to the determination of our members to secure a fairer wage offer – demonstrated by their bravery in taking strike action.
“The deal shows workers can take on the oil and gas operators and contractors, and win. Unite will always support our offshore members fighting back for good jobs, pay and conditions.”
Unite industrial officer Shauna Wright added: “Unite has won a good deal for over 700 Bilfinger workers which is the highest annual uplift in pay ever at the company. It represents a 10% pay increase this year, and since last November it actually means we have increased the basic hourly pay by up to 19% for some of our members. It’s a great result which has only come about due to the resolve and strength of our members.”
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