Unite the union today (16 November) confirmed its offshore catering members have accepted an improved pay offer from the Catering Offshore Trade Association (COTA) worth 10 per cent on basic salaries.
 
The consultative ballot indicated that 84 per cent of Unite’s membership accepted the improved offer with a backdated payment of around £1,000 for the lower grades in December.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a significant deal for our offshore caterers which covers over 3,000 workers. The deal on basic salaries negotiated by Unite demonstrates the value of being a trade union member as we are fully committed to improving the jobs, terms and conditions for workers in the offshore sector.”

The wage deal covers over 3,000 workers in offshore catering companies including Aramark, Conntrak, Entier, ESS, FOSS & ESG, and Sodexo. Unite’s membership covered by COTA deliver catering and ancillary services across oil and gas installations in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). 

Shauna Wright, Unite industrial officer, added: “The improved offer by COTA has been overwhelmingly accepted by Unite members. We are pleased the negotiations with COTA have produced a positive result for all parties concerned. This should be a lesson for all companies operating in the offshore sector that by getting round the table we can together ensure that the workforce gets a wage increase they fully deserve, and pay disputes do not needlessly spiral into strike action when companies can afford to pay.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

  • Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Pat Rafferty.