UNITE the Union has confirmed that contractors based at Mossmorran are set to take part in a week of strike action starting later this month.

The union says 150 Kaefer maintenance and repair contractors based at Mossmorran Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) and St Fergus gas plants have overwhelmingly backed strike action.

Workers are due to walk out from Monday, November 27 until Monday, December 4 while a continuous overtime ban will also be in effect for 12 weeks commencing with the start of strike action.

The dispute centres on Kaefer not making a cost of living payment for 2023.

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Unite says its membership has been left with "no option" but to take strike action in response to the company's failure to make such a payment, and it is also blaming the operator Shell for the stand-off.

Its General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Kaefer have left our members with no option but to take strike action at the Mossmorran and St Fergus plants to secure a cost of living increase.

"The company along with the operator Shell, who ultimately funds any deal, have refused to make our members any offer never mind a fair one.

“Shell is awash with money and is experiencing a multi-billion pound profit bonanza, funding a cost of living increase for our members would not even scratch the surface of its profits. Unite will back our Kaefer members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

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The Kaefer contractors include scaffold inspectors and supervisors, riggers and rigging supervisors, forklift drivers, general assistants and mechanical supervisors.

Unite say that without these essential workers, production at plants would be severely impacted and could not be operated safely.

Bob MacGregor, Unite industrial officer, added: “Unite’s membership working for Kaefer have overwhelmingly backed strike action.

“The Kaefer contractors based at Mossmorran and St Fergus deserve a fair pay rise particularly as Shell, who own the plants, are amassing billions in profit.

"A week-long strike will take place starting on 27 November and we will not rule out further action unless Kaefer gets back round the negotiating table to make our members a cost of living payment.”