Unite the union today (20 July) confirmed its offshore catering members have been balloted over a pay offer from the Catering Offshore Trade Association (COTA).

The consultative ballot covers around 2,750 workers in seven offshore catering companies including Conntrak, ESS, Entier, Trinity, Aramark, Sodexo and Foss. The ballot opened on 19 July and it will close on the 2 August. The result of the consultative ballot will be announced on the following day (3 August).

Unite’s membership covered by COTA deliver catering and ancillary services across installations in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). The trade union’s negotiating committee is recommending Unite’s members reject the 1 per cent offer on basic pay, which is also not being backdated to last year as previously agreed by COTA.

Shauna Wright, Unite industrial officer, said: “The offer from COTA comes to 1 per cent on basic pay which is an insult to all members. A further offer of 1 per cent is being dangled in front of them to buy-out their enhanced redundancy package, which is disgraceful. COTA has also reneged on its word from last year when it agreed that any pay increases this year would be backdated.

“Unite’s members have continued to work as critical workers during the Covid pandemic and due to the current climate, they agreed to certain changes in exchange for measures that would mitigate redundancies. A consultative ballot has been sent out to all members and we will await the views of our members prior to taking any further steps.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

  • Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Pat Rafferty.