Offshore caterers have said the pay offer made to workers is the best they can do, as the threat of a strike remains.
United warned it would begin preparing for strike action if catering staff rejected the offer.
Peter Bruce, chair of the Caterers Offshore Trade Association, said: “This deal is the best that can be achieved in this tough economic climate and we believe that it is a fair offer for employees.
“Previous ballots have produced a low turnout so we urge all union members to vote this time and have their say. It is important that the ballot represents all views.”
The Unite union has recommended its members agree to the new pay offer, which includes increases in the offshore delay payment from £40 to £75 and introduces a payment for workers who take on training for emergency duties out of their normal working hours.
Workers have until Friday to cast their vote.
Should union members decide not to accept the deal Unite said it “immediately begin preparing for strike action”.
Bruce said: “We are pleased that the negotiation committee from Unite and RMT has accepted our revised offer and is encouraging their members to do likewise through a consultative ballot this week.”
A previous offer for catering staff was rejected and this new proposal was brought forward.
Workers have been considering the first North Sea strike action in a generation after COTA said it would not commit to the second year of a two-year pay increase.
A letter to members on the new contract by Unite’s regional officer John Boland says: “The offer although not having a percentage pay increase on salary this year does, however, mean significant increases in uplifts and more importantly protects and enhances terms and conditions.”
The member companies of COTA are Entier, Sodexo, ESS, Aramark, FOSS & ESG and Trinity International Services.
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