A total of 400 employees at Bilfinger UK have voted for strike action, which is expected to cause widespread disruption to UK North Sea operations. The industrial action, first announced in October, is a response to a pension scheme that workers say provides employer contributions thousands of pounds below the industry average.

Core Dispute and Union Position

The trade union Unite states that Bilfinger is disadvantaging its members by paying lower pension contributions based on how workers are paid. Unite's general secretary emphasized that members are losing thousands of pounds annually in company pension contributions compared to other industry workers, calling this unacceptable. The union has pledged full support for its members in seeking a just and fair pension settlement. The workers have asked Bilfinger to implement a gross earnings pension scheme to avoid the lower contributions resulting from their weekly payment schedule.

Scope of Impact

The strike action will affect operations at up to 19 offshore fields. These fields are operated by several major companies, including BP, Ithaca Energy, TAQA, CNR International, and Ineos.

Broader Industry Context

The oil and gas sector has faced significant challenges, including widespread job losses in 2024 as operators like Harbour Energy made personnel cuts. These cuts are attributed to lower crude prices and the maintenance of the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) through to 2030. Salary and pension negotiations across the North Sea have been protracted this year, with strike action threatened on numerous platforms. Furthermore, a warning from Robert Gordon University indicates that unless UK energy policy—which restricts exploration and maintains the EPL—is amended, the equivalent of 1,000 jobs will be lost every month across the UK North Sea through 2030.