A ballot by members of the unions Unite and RMT at engineering firm Wood Group working across Shell operated assets has seen a "massive majority" supporting industrial action.
In a joint statement, Unite and RMT said more than 50% of members voted in the ballot, which saw 99.1% of Unite members vote in favor of industrial action while 98.5% of RMT members voted to support industrial action.
The vote comes after weeks of talks between the unions and employers. Unite and the RMT said they will now consult with Wood Group members across the Shell assets to discuss the timing and the nature of the action.
Dave Stewart, Wood Group's eastern region business unit CEO, said: "We are extremely disappointed with the outcome of the ballot." He said there had been extensive consultation with offshore staff to try and address "every significant concern that our employees and the unions have expressed."
Industry body Oil & Gas UK was also "extremely disappointed," said its CEO Deirdre Michie. "Industrial action can only add to the industry's challenges as it focuses on tackling the current downturn to restore North Sea competitiveness and sustain jobs in the industry in the longer term."
John Boland, Unite Regional Officer said the talks had failed to find an acceptable deal for the workforce. He said the group remains available for talks, "should the company wish to consider an alternative offer."
Jake Molloy, RMT Regional Organizer said: “After two rounds of redundancy, the imposition of an additional four to five weeks of work annually, forced to work a three on three off rota, the increase in workload, and the restrictions on leave, this battered and bruised workforce are being told they have to accept all of this with a reduction in salary of anything from 10-30%.”
Stewart added: "We have listened to our employees in the consultation process and the terms and conditions offered are above the original proposal. At no point did the terms and conditions proposed include a sweeping 30% pay cut across those employees impacted. Around a third of those involved will experience no reduction to their base salary. The average reduction to base salary experienced by those employees involved in this consultation will be 3%."