Offshore workers strike pay deal after just two days of action

A 10% pay rise, backdated to June, has been accepted by members

Author: Dan Barker (PA), Finlay JackPublished 27th Oct 2022

Offshore workers have called off their planned industrial action after securing a pay rise.

They were on strike on Thursday 20th and Friday 21st of October, and had more action planned for the rest of the year.

But after rejecting a 5% pay rise earlier in the year which the union had described as a "substantial real terms pay cut", at Archer, Maersk, Transocean and Odfjell, they'll now receive a 10% increased backdated to June.

The pay dispute involved workers covered by the United Kingdom Drilling Contractors Association.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said workers "showed collective strength and resilience to fight for better pay".

She added: "Unite is determined to achieve improved pay, terms and conditions for our members and this shows their fight was worth it."

Workers had taken part in the first 48-hour stoppage on October 20 and 21, with two more walkouts planned for both November and December.

Platforms which would have been affected by the strikes include BP Clair and Clair Ridge, and Equinor's Mariner - which the union warned would have caused serious problems for oil and gas operators.

Vic Fraser, the union's industrial officer, said members were "determined to obtain an improved offer and stuck to their guns".

He added: "This demonstrates what can be achieved when meaningful negotiations take place and employers listen to what our members are collectively saying, it proves that collective bargaining works for all."

Hear all the latest news from the North East of Scotland on Northsound 1. Listen on FM, via our Rayo app, DAB, or smart speaker.