Business / Sodexo staff latest to walk out of Sullom Voe in row over pay
MORE WORKERS have walked out of Sullom Voe Terminal in a separate row over pay with Sodexo.
Around 30 mechanics, cleaners, plant operators and electricians started a 24-hour walkout today (Wednesday) in an escalating pay dispute with the company.
It comes after around 60 contractors including insulators, painters, scaffolders and supervision staff walked out of Sullom Voe twice in December in a row with Altrad.
They are also set to strike on 12 and 26 January if there is no resolution to the dispute.
And today 30 staff employed by Sodexo were the next group to walk out of the oil terminal in a different row over pay.
They are also set to take part in a further series of stoppages, on 12, 14, 21 and 28 January.
Unite members have rejected an “unacceptable” two-year pay offer by Sodexo, which has led to them “unanimously” backing strike action, the union said.
Its general secretary Sharon Graham said the company had failed to bring an acceptable pay deal to the table over the course of the last year.
“The workers deserve to be treated with respect but Sodexo is treating them with contempt,” she said.
“Sodexo is a profitable company and it could end this dispute today but the company is putting profits before people.
“Unite will fully support our members at the Sullom Voe terminal, fighting for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
A Sodexo spokesperson said the company continues to work with Unite and its members to seek a resolution.
“Unite is currently balloting its members on a revised offer made earlier this week,” they said.
“We acknowledge the right of our employees to participate in industrial action. We have contingency plans in place and will work closely with our client to minimise disruption in the delivery of services at Sullom Voe Terminal.”
Meanwhile around 60 Altrad workers walked out of Sullom Voe on 1 and 15 December 2025, with further walk-outs planned unless a deal can be struck.
It comes as part of the annual pay review between terminal operator EnQuest and Altrad, one of the main contractors on site.
It is understood that EnQuest had originally offered a zero per cent pay rise, which was rejected out of hand by union members.
Two subsequent offers, one capped at a payment of £900 and a second capped at £1,250, were also turned down, as union members demand a £2,500 payment.
A separate dispute by EnQuest workers at Sullom Voe was settled with a one-off payment for 2025 and a four per cent award for 2026.
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