North Sea offshore workers employed by energy firm Wood Group are opposing proposed cuts to their terms and conditions, it has been announced.

Union Unite is set to meet with the company's management later this week after the Aberdeen-based Group announced in February it planned to cut rates paid to roughly a third of its UK contractor workforce.

Offshore workers are claiming global oil companies are dictating further cuts to their employers be passed onto the workforce.


As a result, employees are now discussing the possibility of industrial action to defend their pay and conditions.

Unite's Scottish secretary, Pat Rafferty, said: "Unite has long warned that the oil and gas industry is cutting too fast and too far. Lives and safety are being put at risk and workers have had enough.

"Employers must not respond to the current downturn in this industry's fortunes by putting people in a position of risk. Workers are feeling increasingly frustrated that their concerns are going unheard.

"But we say to the employers, do not delay in seeking to address the issues that demand immediate attention."

(LM)