TWO thousand catering workers have accepted an inflation-busting pay offer, Unite said yesterday.

The outsourced staff provide cleaning and catering operations on North Sea platforms.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the pay package is a good deal, which demonstrated the value of being a trade union member.

The Catering Offshore Trade Association (COTA) made the offer on behalf of companies including Aramark, Conntrak, Entier, ESS, FOSS & ESG, Sodexo and Trinity International Services.

It is worth an increase of 4.5 per cent and runs for a year from tomorrow, and includes a basic 4 per cent increase in pay, increases in the travel, mileage and dinner allowances along with an increase in the festive payment from £100 to £120.

Unite industrial officer Shauna Wright added that the deal was the result of successful negotiation that will deliver a significant boost to pay packets, enhances basic pay and allowances and provide a solid platform to build upon for next year’s negotiations.