North Sea oil rig workers are to vote on whether to take strike action over a pay dispute with the Wood Group.

The Aberdeen-based energy firm has proposed to cut pay by up to 22%, however this will eventually add up to 30% once reductions to other allowances are added.

More than 200 workers will be balloted due to issues such as maintenance technicians earning 6.9% less per offshore day because of changes to holiday pay. Other changes have also seen workers move to a three-week working cycle.

The ballot will be undertaken in conjunction with the GMB and RMT unions and sent to Wood Group workers on eight of Shell's North Sea platforms.

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Unite regional officer, John Boland said: "Unite members are not immune to the challenges facing the oil and gas industry.

"We, along with other trade unions in the offshore coordinating group, have been leading the debate on the need to hold an emergency summit involving the Scottish and UK governments, employers and trade unions to deliver greater support for the sector.

"However, due to the intransigence of the Wood Group which is seeking to impose pay cuts of up to 30 per cent, our members have been faced with no other option but to consider strike action.

"We remain committed to constructive negotiations with the company and urge them to get back round the table, but they must be prepared to work with us to find an agreed settlement."

The ballot will open on Wednesday, 15 June and close at 12pm on Wednesday, 13 July. Any industrial action will begin on 20 July.

(LM)