A PLANNED 48 hour strike by more than 400 Unite workers in the North Sea has been suspended after Bilfinger UK tabled a fresh pensions offer.

The strike at the offshore contractor was due to begin tomorrow, and was set to affect major oil and gas operators such as BP, CNR, Ineos, Ithaca, and TAQA amid an ongoing dispute over employer pension contributions. 

Despite their profits growing from £14 million in 2023 to £17m in 2024, the employer has decided to make only the minimum contributions to workers’ pension scheme, a move their union argued was losing their members as much as £2,254 a year from their pension pot.

The looming threat of strike action has however prompted a rethink from the employer, and announcing the suspension of the action to hold a consultative ballot on an increased offer, Unite industrial officer Paula Buchan said: “The determination of our members has forced Bilfinger back to the negotiating table. 

“Our members will now decide whether this new offer is enough to bring this dispute to a close.”