North Sea strike action ballot on hold. More talks ahead

Representatives of British largest workers’ unions GMB and Unite will hold further talks on 20th May on the dispute over unilateral changes to working conditions for workers covered by the Offshore Contractors Agreement (OCA) in UK waters.

At talks in Aberdeen yesterday 6th May both sides put forward proposals and both agreed to take the proposals away to consider them and hold further talks on 20th May.

Both unions agreed to put on hold the ballot for strike action. Members of both unions have already voted in a consultative ballot to go ahead with an official ballot for strike action over the imposition of these unilateral changes including the work rosters.

David Hulse, GMB National Officer, said “At the talks yesterday both sides put forward proposals and both agreed to take the proposals away to consider them and hold further talks on 20th May. Both unions also agreed to put on hold the ballot for strike action to allow time for the negotiations.”