ABOUT 60 essential workers in the North Sea oil and gas sector will strike later this month in a long-running dispute over short-staffing and burnout.

Heating and ventilation engineers working for IES Callenberg working on platforms run by oil giants such as BP, TAQA, CNR, Repsol, Serica and CNOOC, and chemists working for SGS UK on BP’s Clair Ridge platforms will begin strike action March 25.

Workers for both contractors voted overwhelmingly for strike action earlier this month in a long-running dispute over staff shortages and rotations, which they say are putting lives at risk through mental and physical fatigue.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite will stand shoulder to shoulder with our members employed by SGS and IES Callenberg. These are profitable companies which must start treating workers fairly.

“Our offshore workers are fully prepared to fight to get the improved terms and conditions they deserve. We will ensure that our members are backed all the way in the campaign to secure better jobs, pay and conditions in the offshore sector.”

IES Callenberg and SGS UK were contacted for comment.