Thousands of offshore catering workers are to be balloted over possible industrial action after an expected pay rise was cancelled.
Around 2,000 members of the Unite and RMT unions were told by the Caterers Offshore Trade Association (COTA), which represents six separate catering companies, that the 2% rise planned for 2015/16 will not be paid on Wednesday.
Employees were told the news on the same day that Chancellor George Osborne announced a £1.3 billion tax break to the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry.
A consultative ballot of union members will now gauge support for industrial action.
Unite Regional Officer John Taylor said: “Immediately after the Chancellor announced a £1.3 billion tax cut for the North Sea offshore industry, its biggest companies ordered catering contractors to cut a modest pay increase on the COTA.
“It’s unacceptable and once again we see the industry’s bully boys running roughshod over recognised trade union agreements which deliver decent terms and conditions for ordinary offshore workers.”
Meanwhile, talks between Unite, GMB and RMT unions and the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA), which represents employers, broke down last Friday over proposed changes to rotations and holiday entitlement.
More than 2,500 contractors are now being balloted on a range of responses which could even result in them downing tools.
Peter Bruce, chief executive officer of Entiér Limited, one of the catering companies in COTA confirmed that the group had met with the unions.
He said: “We have served them due notice of our intention to retract year two pay awards of the two year deal.
“We await the outcome of the telephone ballot which is currently being organised.
“This decision has been driven by our endeavour to secure employees jobs.”
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