Deal secures up to £18,000 extra per year

Unite, the UK’s largest offshore trade union, confirmed that over 200 members have accepted an improved wage offer at Petrofac Repsol installations today (13 January).

The deal which is the product of a year-long negotiation process will result in a salary increase of up to 20.2 per cent, which is the cash equivalent of up to £18,000, and also enhancements to allowances.

Unite’s members accepted the latest Petrofac Repsol offer by 84 per cent on a ballot turnout of 97 per cent. It now brings to a close weeks of industrial action in a bitter dispute over pay, terms and conditions.

The installations covered by the deal include the Arbroath, Auk, Bleo Holm, Claymore, Clyde, Fulmar Alpha, Piper Bravo, Montrose, Saltire, Tartan Alpha, and Flotta oil terminal. The workers involved include electrical and mechanical technicians, deck crew, controllers and riggers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s Petrofac Repsol members should be congratulated for taking the company head-on in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions. Thanks to their stand, hundreds of workers will now receive a salary increase which could be worth up to £18,000. It is a perfect example of how Unite delivers for workers and how workers can collectively take on a wealthy company and get what they deserve.”

 The dispute had centred on the removal of a 10 per cent Equal Time payment, years of below inflationary pay increases as well as issues around payments for Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) medicals, mileage and stand in duties.

Unite industrial officer John Boland, on behalf of the Petrofac workforce across the various installations added: “Unite members have now overwhelmingly accepted an offer from Petrofac on the Repsol contract. The deal is the product of a year-long dispute which will see the workers receive a salary increase of up to 20.2 per cent along with improvements in allowances. Unite members have shown their determination in this dispute to recover previous reductions in their salary, and have taken strike action to achieve this outcome. This shows what can be achieved by a strong organised workforce led by a strong trade union.”

ENDS