Wood Group employees in the North Sea have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action over pay cuts.

A "massive majority" were in favour of strike action, with union Unite recording 99.1% and 98.5% of RMT members also supported strike action.

The workers mostly operate across Shell platforms, providing maintenance and construction services to the installations.

However, Aberdeen-based Wood Group revealed earlier this year it was cutting rates due to "challenging conditions" in the North Sea oil and gas sector.

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John Boland, Unite Regional Officer said despite efforts talks to find an acceptable deal for the workforce had failed.

"We now find ourselves forced down the route of industrial action and in the coming days the workforce will determine the timing and nature of that action," he said.

However, Mr Boland refused to rule out a reconciliation with Wood Group, saying Unite remains available for talks "should the company wish to consider an alternative offer".

Jake Molloy, RMT Regional Organiser added: "After two rounds of redundancy, the imposition of an additional 4 to 5 weeks of work annually, forced to work a 3:3 rota, the increase in workload, and the restrictions on leave, this battered and bruised workforce are being told they have to accept all of this with a reduction in salary of anything from 10 to 30%. The workforce message is clear, 'Enough is Enough' and it's little wonder we find ourselves in this situation."

(LM/CD)