Offshore ballot over pay freeze

Unions are to launch a consultative ballot of thousands of North Sea offshore workers over possible industrial action on pay. The GMB and Unite unions said the move followed a pay freeze offer. GMB national secretary Keith Hazlewood said: “We are consulting with our members to test the strength of feeling before we move to a ballot for action.” The Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) said it could not afford to offer a pay rise due to the economic climate. Both sides said they were willing to have further discussions.