Unite union representatives announced plans for potential strike action involving more than 160 offshore workers employed by Texas-based Apache in the North Sea, citing a failed pay negotiation process. The union stated that workers rejected a compensation offer they characterized as unacceptable, particularly given the company’s reported financial performance. Union officials raised concerns about Apache’s handling of back pay discussions and potential wage withholding, which they said could leave employees at a financial disadvantage.
Apache responded by defending its negotiating stance, stating it had presented a 4% pay increase to its workforce, whom it noted already rank among the highest earners in the United Kingdom. The company cited its employees’ annual schedule of approximately 153 working days offshore as context for its compensation approach. Apache further noted that its final offer aligned with pay increases given to non-unionized staff earlier in the year.
The potential industrial action could commence later this month and would target the Forties and Beryl oilfields. According to union statements, disruptions could affect the Forties pipeline system, which reportedly handles nearly one-third of the United Kingdom’s oil and gas output. The impact could extend to other major North Sea operators as well. This timing coincided with existing market pressures, as diesel prices had reached record highs, and international tensions were already affecting global fuel supplies and prices.
Apache indicated it had developed contingency measures to maintain operational safety during any potential strike, including retention of experienced personnel at critical installations. The company stated that reduced pipeline pressure from industrial action would be comparable to effects from routine maintenance operations. Government representatives urged both parties to resolve the dispute without causing supply disruptions, noting that alternative fuel supply channels provide resilience to the market. The announcement followed a similar labor dispute earlier in the year involving Neo Next workers, which was resolved through a negotiated settlement increasing compensation packages by more than £4,000 per employee.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI