Around 400 oil and gas workers in the North Sea are to begin strike action next week in a dispute over pay.

Members of unions Unite and RMT who are employed by Wood Group will engage in a 24-hour stoppage across eight Shell oil and gas platforms on Tuesday, 26 July.

The industrial action is being taken due to a dispute concerning a proposed 30% cut to pay as well as changes to allowances.

Unite members voted 99.1% in favour of strike action, while RMT members voted 98.% in favour.

The unions said it is anticipated the action will "severely disrupt" operations on the platforms.

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Unite regional officer John Boland said: "Strike action by our members is not a decision they take lightly, but they have been pushed to the limit by an employer unwilling to rethink proposals to slash their pay and allowances.

"This is the third series of redundancies, and cuts to our members wages and terms and conditions in the last two years. Our members have already made sacrifices and are experiencing the effects of the imposition of a three week working cycle which means more time offshore and less time with their families, for the same salary.

"They work in some of the most hazardous conditions in one of the toughest jobs in the world and deserve better than Wood Group's bogus claims that their proposed pay cuts won't amount to much.

"Wood Group needs to wake up to the determination of our members by negotiating seriously with Unite and the other offshore unions to reach a deal which is fair for their highly skilled and hardworking work force."

(LM/MH)