Unite the union and GMB union are pleased to announce today (6 December) that a collective bargaining agreement has been entered into in relation to Bilfinger's Inspection teams working on all TAQA UK offshore assets in the North Sea. 

This agreement follows a decision by Bilfinger last year to join the Energy Services Agreement.

Shauna Wright, Unite Industrial Officer said: “The decision to have this collective agreement is a fantastic win for worker and company alike. Recognition will mean that the workers will now be able to collectively bargain on employee terms and conditions.”

“I would like to pay tribute to our reps at Bilfinger who have themselves looked after Unite members with their branch even before this agreement and from today, this branch will now have a permanent seat at the table to ensure Unite can collectively bargain on employee terms and conditions.”

David Hall, Operations Director Inspection for Bilfinger UK Limited said “We have always aligned with the market to ensure we attract the best talent in the industries we operate in. These are challenging times for workers and employers in the offshore energy sector and having assessed recent changes in the market, it is now in the best interests of these employees, our customer and our business that we enter a collective bargaining agreement. We continually engage with unions on all employment matters and will continue to work with them to deliver solutions that are right for our people, our customers and our business.”

Dom Pritchard of the GMB added: “GMB are extremely pleased to confirm that along with our colleagues in Unite the Union we have secured a Joint Recognition Agreement for our Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technicians employed on the TAQA UK offshore facilities in the North Sea this is a tremendous achievement for our joint membership who have shown tremendous solidarity to achieve this.

“It also means that moving forward both unions will now negotiate terms and conditions including pay moving forward.” 

ENDS

  • 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.