More than 400 North Sea workers to ‘fight on’ after rejecting pay offer from Stork

Hundreds of offshore contractors are readying to “fight on” after they “resoundingly” rejected an updated wage offer.

Trade union Unite confirmed today that around 450 Stork workers had knocked back the deal “on the basis that it represents a real terms pay cut”.

Stork tabled an offer of 6%, which was dismissed by 76% of the Unite members involved.

Stork is a profitable company and can well afford to fund a better offer.”

Sharon Graham, general-secretary, Unite.

The union said the deal covered only about 70% of its 650 members at Stork, with those working on Apache and Anasuria UK North Sea assets missing out.

Unite general-secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s Stork members, those who were covered by the offer, resoundingly rejected it since it represents a real terms wage cut.

“Our members are prepared to fight on, because let’s not forget Stork is a profitable company and can well afford to fund a better offer.

“We will support our members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions in the offshore sector.”

Strikes rolling on

There is optimism in some quarters that industrial unrest in the North Sea is easing.

Around 700 Bilfinger workers settled a dispute last week.

But Unite has insisted the fight for better pay and conditions for many other workers goes on.

The union has repeatedly highlighted large profits being made by North Sea companies.

Stork itself made pre-tax profits of £3.8 million in the UK in 2021, the most recently published accounts show. The Dutch company has UK operations in Aberdeen, Falkirk, Redcar, Grimsby and Southport.

Updates on any forthcoming strike action will be announced in due course, said Unite, whose members working in the offshore industry voted by 98% to down tools in March.

Unite industrial officer Vic Fraser added: “Unite’s members have overwhelmingly rejected the latest wage offer. This was in no small part due to the fact the offer did not even cover all of Stork’s offshore workers.

“We will be meeting our reps to discuss the next steps. It’s hugely disappointing Stork could not make our members a fair offer before the busy offshore shut-down season starts on platforms and vessels.

“Those working on the Apache and Anasuria units were not made any wage offer by Stork. We fear that this situation could result in a mass exodus of experienced staff from these units unless a wage offer includes all Stork workers.”

Stork’s response

A statement released by Stork said: “We are disappointed that members of Unite, through a consultative ballot, have voted to reject our pay offer of a further 6% increase on the base rate, which would have provided an overall 10% permanent annual increase for 2023.

“We continue to maintain an on-going dialogue with union officials, our employees and clients in an attempt to bring this to a timely resolution.”