The UK offshore sector is facing potential disruption after more than 400 Unite members employed by Bilfinger UK voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over pensions.
The union said a clear majority of Bilfinger offshore workers have backed walkouts unless the company moves to a pension scheme based on gross earnings, in line with many other private-sector and offshore employers.
Most Bilfinger employees are currently enrolled in a statutory minimum workplace pension, where the company pays up to 3% of “qualifying earnings” — income between £6,240 and £50,270. Anything above or below that band does not count toward pension contributions, capping the company’s annual payment at £1,320.90 regardless of total earnings.
Unite claimed workers earning around £59,500 a year are losing more than £2,250 in employer contributions annually compared with a gross-salary pension model.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the current structure leaves offshore workers at a disadvantage. “Unite members are losing out on thousands of pounds every year in company pension contributions compared with other workers, which is completely unacceptable,” she said. “We will back our Bilfinger members every step of the way in their fight to secure a fair settlement.”
The union argued that the company can afford to match industry practice, pointing out that the UK private-sector average employer pension contribution is around 6%, while COTA-aligned offshore companies typically pay 6.5% of full salary.
Paula Buchan, Unite industrial officer, warned that dozens of North Sea installations could be affected if Bilfinger does not act. “Workers doing equally skilled offshore roles are being treated unfairly compared to colleagues on salary-based schemes. Any disruption will be the direct result of Bilfinger’s refusal to address this issue,” she said.
If no progress is made, Unite warned strike action will be called in the coming weeks. Operators likely to be hit include BP, CNR, Ineos Ithaca and TAQA.
