North Sea workers threaten first mass strikes since 1980s

Union organisers will begin counting votes today for a possible walkout
Union organisers will begin counting votes today for a possible walkout
MARK A LEMAN/GETTY IMAGES

Britain’s North Sea oil industry is set for an autumn of discontent, as workers threaten to take strike action for the first time in a generation after thousands of job cuts triggered by plunging prices.

Union organisers will begin counting votes today for a possible walkout by hundreds of helicopter pilots, who play a critical role ferrying workers and supplies to offshore rigs.

The strike threat, which could paralyse the industry, comes amid growing fears of another, bigger walkout by up to 10,000 offshore rig workers.

They have rejected plans for new working rotas that could potentially lead to thousands of job losses.

“It’s a massive problem which could have big knock-on effects,” Kevin Forbes, of Oil and Gas People, an Aberdeen-based recruiting firm, said.