This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/6955493.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Drilling staff vote on pay deal Drilling staff vote on pay deal
(about 5 hours later)
Ballot papers on a new pay and conditions deal are being sent out to drilling workers in the North Sea.Ballot papers on a new pay and conditions deal are being sent out to drilling workers in the North Sea.
They have been offered a 5% wage rise - but will not be given the same offer on paid leave that was made last week to other offshore contracting workers. More than 2,000 workers will vote over the next few weeks on whether to accept a 5% wage increase from the UK Drilling Contractors' Association (DCA).
Drilling workers will not be given the same offer on paid leave which was made to other offshore contracting workers.
The DCA is offering a 3%, one-off payment in place of more holidays. The ballot process ends on 13 September.
The Amicus union is making no recommendation on the ballot but regional organiser Graham Tran believes it will be rejected.The Amicus union is making no recommendation on the ballot but regional organiser Graham Tran believes it will be rejected.
The UK Drilling Contractors Association was unavailable for comment.
Shop stewardsShop stewards
Mr Tran, from Amicus, said: "We were very close to putting it out with a recommendation to rejection. He said: "We were very close to putting it out with a recommendation to rejection.
"However, the shop stewards' committee met on a number of occasions and have agreed to let the members within the UKDCA (UK Drilling Contractors Association) member companies decide for themselves. "However, it was agreed by shop stewards to let the members make up their own minds.
"I'm a betting man and I think know what the outcome might be." "I have already had some phone calls from members who are up in arms about the offer. They are irate that there is no holiday element.
"Given the recent announcement by the OCA I don't think it takes a genius to work out what is likely to happen."
Last week, North Sea contract workers were offered extra money and additional paid leave in return for dropping existing legal challenges about holiday pay.Last week, North Sea contract workers were offered extra money and additional paid leave in return for dropping existing legal challenges about holiday pay.
The deal - reached between the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) and the Amicus and GMB unions - will affect about 10,000 offshore workers.The deal - reached between the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) and the Amicus and GMB unions - will affect about 10,000 offshore workers.
It would raise their annual pay from an average of £42,000 to £45,000 and allow them to gain four weeks paid holiday.It would raise their annual pay from an average of £42,000 to £45,000 and allow them to gain four weeks paid holiday.
Workers employed including drilling workers and those working in catering were not affected by the deal.Workers employed including drilling workers and those working in catering were not affected by the deal.