The Unite union announced that North Sea oil workers have voted to support strike action against Apache, citing failed negotiations over compensation packages. The union characterized the pay offer as unacceptable, noting it represented a real-terms reduction for many employees despite the company’s substantial profitability. Unite also raised concerns that Apache had imposed deadlines for reaching agreements and suggested it could withhold back payments, potentially leaving workers without thousands of pounds owed to them.
Apache responded by stating it had engaged constructively throughout pay discussions and offered a 4% increase for its workforce. The company emphasized that its employees already rank among the highest earners in the UK and work an offshore rotation averaging 153 working days annually. Apache indicated it had provided contingency plans to maintain safe operations and did not anticipate strikes would affect other producers’ ability to use the Forties pipeline system.
Potential strike action, which could involve more than 160 Apache offshore workers including electrical specialists and production technicians, could begin later this month. Such action would impact the Forties and Beryl oilfields and potentially bring the Charlie platform to a standstill, which Unite warned could cause the entire Forties pipeline system—responsible for handling roughly one-third of UK oil and gas supplies—to shut down.
The timing of the potential labor dispute coincides with existing fuel supply pressures affecting the UK. Diesel prices recently climbed to £2 per litre as consumers faced elevated fuel and gas costs related to Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions disrupting global crude supplies. Simultaneously, G7 leaders announced plans to release emergency stockpiles of diesel and crude oil following threats to US supply.
The government’s energy department called on both parties to resolve differences without causing disruption, noting the UK maintains diverse and resilient fuel supplies. A previous United-led strike by Neo Next offshore workers was averted over summer after securing a pay deal exceeding £4,000 in additional compensation just before scheduled work stoppages were set to begin.
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