News / Strike off as gas plant workers accept new deal
STRIKE action at Shetland Gas Plant which was due to take place next week been averted after Aker workers accepted a new pay offer.
Unite regional officer John Boland said on Friday afternoon that the offer included a wage increase and lump sum payments for holidays worth around £4,400.
“We will now work with Aker management to implement this agreement and the associated payment as soon as possible,” he said.
A total of 82 workers for subcontractor Aker Solutions had been embroiled in the dispute for a number of months.
The disagreement related to wages and the alleged non-payments and rolling of holiday pay into the basic hourly rate.
Strike action was originally due to start in November following a ballot, but it was postponed at the last minute after new talks were brokered.
It was thought a strike would have stopped production at the gas plant, but operator Total said it would have been able to continue running safely.
An Aker Solutions spokesman said: “Aker Solutions today received notification from Unite the Union that employees based at Shetland Gas Plant have voted to accept a revised pay offer following negotiations last week.
“Throughout this process we have remained committed to finding a positive way forward and we are glad to now bring this to a conclusion.”
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