SHELL’S offshore medics are set to be balloted on industrial action in a dispute over pay.
Trade union Unite announced on Monday that members who work on the oil and gas company’s platforms would be balloted following the rejection of a 3.5% pay offer.
It represents more than a dozen workers employed by United Healthcare Global Medical (UK) who ensure there is medical cover on Shell’s platforms.
These include Brent Charlie, Gannet Alpha, Shearwater, Nelson, Sole Pit Clipper and Leman Alpha platforms.
The union has described the energy giant’s offer as “completely unacceptable” after its profits hit a record high last month.
Shell reported a profit of £9.5 billion in the last quarter amid warnings that the average household energy bill could hit £500 in January alone.
That marked a record high for the company, having already reported profits of £7.5bn from the first quarter of 2022.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our medics who work for United Healthcare deserve far more than what is a real terms pay cut.
“The company is swimming in profits to the tune of almost £9bn yet they refuse to share any of this with these lifesaving workers.
“Our members will have their union’s full support in this fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
The ballot is set to open on August 11 and close on September 8, with action predicted to begin in late September.
Unite industrial officer John Boland said: “The reality is that Shell’s platforms cannot operate safely without these medics. Fact. The offer on the table is completely unacceptable.
“The company needs to act now and make a better offer. We will now ballot on strike action.”
