OFFSHORE workers will launch three days of strike action tomorrow in a long-running dispute over bonus payments.

Unite scaffolders, engineers, deck and rope access workers employed by Bilfinger on the Ithaca Energy-operated Alba Floating Storage Unit and its floating production facility, voted overwhelmingly for the action after Ithaca refused to pay the retention bonuses to directly employed colleagues.

Earlier plans for action had been postponed to continue talks with Bilfinger but a lack of progress means workers will strike now from June 4-7 and again from June 9-12.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Ithaca Energy and Bilfinger are incredibly wealthy companies that can fully afford to pay the retention bonus to our members.

“The payment is a drop in the North Sea to Ithaca Energy which is making billions. 

“Our members have been left with no option by these greedy companies but to take strike action to get what they deserve.” 

Unite industrial officer Paula Buchan vowed: “We will escalate this action if Ithaca Energy and Bilfinger refuse to see sense.” 

Ithaca Energy and Bilfinger were contacted for comment.