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Divers strike after deal rejected Divers strike after deal rejected
(about 6 hours later)
About 900 North Sea divers and support personnel have begun an indefinite strike after rejecting the latest pay offer from employers.About 900 North Sea divers and support personnel have begun an indefinite strike after rejecting the latest pay offer from employers.
Members of the RMT union voted against the new three-year deal by 516 to 240 in a poll that closed at noon. Members of the RMT union voted against the new three-year deal by 516 to 240 in a poll that closed on Thursday.
The offer, recommended by union bosses, promised a 20% increase immediately, plus another 5% from April next year.The offer, recommended by union bosses, promised a 20% increase immediately, plus another 5% from April next year.
There has been concern that any strike action would bring chaos to parts of the UK oil and gas sector.There has been concern that any strike action would bring chaos to parts of the UK oil and gas sector.
The RMT said divers were carrying out probably the most dangerous job in the North Sea, working on wells and pipelines. The RMT said divers were carrying out probably the most dangerous job in the North Sea, working on wells and pipelines at depths of several hundred feet.
Our members have now made it quite clear the offer on the table falls short of their aspirations Bob CrowRMT unionOur members have now made it quite clear the offer on the table falls short of their aspirations Bob CrowRMT union
The latest poll followed a ballot in September on an earlier pay deal.The latest poll followed a ballot in September on an earlier pay deal.
The RMT said the walkout would continue for as long as it took for employers to come back with a better deal.The RMT said the walkout would continue for as long as it took for employers to come back with a better deal.
'Substantial offer'
The union's general secretary Bob Crow said: "This result shows just how angry RMT diving personnel have become after 20 years of pay erosion.The union's general secretary Bob Crow said: "This result shows just how angry RMT diving personnel have become after 20 years of pay erosion.
"North Sea divers do a particularly difficult job in a hazardous industry, yet over two decades their earnings have slipped by 20% in the average pay tables, while the oil and gas companies have been raking in super-profits."North Sea divers do a particularly difficult job in a hazardous industry, yet over two decades their earnings have slipped by 20% in the average pay tables, while the oil and gas companies have been raking in super-profits.
"Our members have now made it quite clear the offer on the table falls short of their aspirations and they will therefore be on strike from a minute after midnight.""Our members have now made it quite clear the offer on the table falls short of their aspirations and they will therefore be on strike from a minute after midnight."
'Substantial offer'
A spokesman for the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) said: "We are disappointed that the divers have rejected the latest substantial pay offer despite their union's recommendation to accept it.A spokesman for the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) said: "We are disappointed that the divers have rejected the latest substantial pay offer despite their union's recommendation to accept it.
"We sincerely hope that the strike will have no effect on North Sea production, although the winter period is a quiet time for diving activity because of the seasonal nature of the work on account of the weather.""We sincerely hope that the strike will have no effect on North Sea production, although the winter period is a quiet time for diving activity because of the seasonal nature of the work on account of the weather."
Some divers are at home on leave, and others will return home after coming out of decompression over the next few days - unless a settlement can be reached.
Union officials and divers are expected to meet again on Friday in Aberdeen to discuss the way forward.