Around 150 Kaefer contractors based at Shell-operated gas plants in Fife and Aberdeenshire have voted for a week of strike action in a dispute over a cost-of-living payment.
Following a ballot, union bosses at Unite Scotland said 75% of maintenance and repair contractors based at the St Fergus gas terminal, near Peterhead, and Mossmorran natural gas liquids facility supported striking between November 27 and December 4.
In addition, the union said a continuous overtime ban will be in effect for 12 weeks, commencing with the start of the strike.
What’s the dispute about?
Unite said the dispute centred on Kaefer not providing a cost-of-living payment for 2023.
The union added the Kaefer workers were covered by the National Agreement for Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI) and received a pay increase of 2.5% for the year.
But, while other workers covered by the NAECI secured a supplementary cost-of-living payment of an extra £1 for every hour worked between January and June, plus 75p for each hour worked from July, Kaefer’s employees at St Fergus and Mossmorran did not.
Union highlights Shell’s bumper profits
Unite included operator Shell in its blame for the stand-off, highlighting the energy giant’s billions in profits this year.
Sharon Graham, general-secretary for the union, said Kaefer had left union members with “no option but to take strike action”.
She added: “The company, along with the operator, Shell, who ultimately funds any deal, have refused to make our members any offer, never mind a fair one.
“Shell is awash with money and experiencing a multi-billion-pound profit bonanza.
“Funding a cost-of-living increase for our members would not even scratch the surface of its profits.”
Unite industrial officer Bob MacGregor said the Kaefer contractors “deserve a fair pay rise” as Shell are “amassing billions in profit”.
Further action not ruled out
Mr MacGregor added the union would not rule out taking further action unless “Kaefer get back round the negotiating table to make our members a cost-of-living payment”.
Unite said the Kaefer contractors included scaffold inspectors and supervisors, riggers and rigging supervisors, forklift drivers, general assistants and mechanical supervisors.
A statement from the union added: “Without these essential workers, production at the Mossmorran plant and St Fergus gas plant would be severely impacted, and could not be operated safely.”
Energy Voice, sister website to The Courier, has contacted Shell and Kaefer for comment.