More than 200 Petrofac Repsol installations employees have accepted a salary increase of up to 20.2%, the cash equivalent of up to £18,000.
The deal is the result of a year-long negotiation process undertaken with trade union Unite, and brings to a close weeks of industrial action over pay, terms and conditions. A total of 84% of the workers, who are electrical and mechanical technicians, deck crew, controllers and riggers, voted to accept the deal on a ballot turnout of 97%.
The dispute, which resulted in industrial action and a continuous overtime ban last November and December, was about the removal of a 10% equal time payment, years of what Unite saw as below inflationary pay increases and issues around payments for Offshore Energies UK medicals, mileage and stand in duties.
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 terminals.
A Petrofac spokesperson said: “Following industrial action by some employees working on Repsol Sinopec assets, a resolution has been reached. Our thanks to both Petrofac and Repsol Sinopec teams who worked to minimise disruption and ensure no increased risk to safety or the environment during this period.”
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, added: “Unite’s Petrofac Repsol members should be congratulated for taking the business 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.”
John Boland, Unite’s industrial officer, said: “Unite members have now overwhelmingly accepted an offer from Petrofac on the Repsol contract. The deal… will see the workers receive a salary increase of up to 20.2% 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.”