Members of UK union Unite employed by Total E&P working on North Sea oil and gas platforms are set to begin industrial action next month.

Members of UK union Unite employed by Total E&P working on North Sea oil and gas platforms are set to begin industrial action next month in a dispute over pay and working hours, the union has said.



Unite revealed that the membership voted “overwhelmingly in favor” of strike action and said there was an even clearer mandate in favor of industrial action short of strike.

The union stated that it is currently in the process of consulting members about what type of industrial action will be called and when. Dates for industrial action are expected to be announced early next week.

Unite revealed that strikes could begin as early as July. A union spokesperson could not confirm exactly when in the month this action could begin, when asked by Rigzone.

If strike action goes ahead, Unite believes that the three platforms affected (Alwyn, Dunbar and Elgin) would be forced to cease production.

“There is still time for industrial action to be avoided and Unite’s door remains open if Total is prepared to make a renewed offer and return to the negotiating table,” Unite Regional Officer Wullie Wallace said in a union statement.

Earlier this month, Unite members employed at Total’s Shetland Gas Plant voted for industrial action in a dispute over changes to their rota system.