ABOUT 160 North Sea workers will be balloted for strike action after rejecting an “unacceptable” pay offer from Apache Corporation, Unite has confirmed.

Despite the firm’s parent company netting $1.6 billion (£1.37bn) last year and profits continuing to soar, the union has hit out at a pay offer which could leave many technicians facing an effective pay freeze or even a real-terms pay cut.

Frustration grew further after the company threatened to withhold back pay and leave workers thousands of pounds out of pocket unless “arbitrary” deadlines for agreement were met.

Announcing the ballot of Apache workers in the North Sea’s Forties and Beryl oil and gas fields, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused Apache of “treating our offshore members with contempt.”

Unite industrial officer Stevie Davies said: “It has behaved in a hostile way by proposing real terms cuts to pay and threatening to remove back pay.

“We have been left with no option but to ballot for strike action. 

“Our Apache members are prepared to fight, and they will get every support necessary in this dispute.” 

 An Apache spokesperson said: “Apache is aware that Unite has announced a ballot of members following the conclusion of discussions on the 2026 pay review.

“Throughout the process, Apache has engaged constructively and in good faith, presenting what it believes is a fair final offer that reflects the contribution of our offshore workforce and the wider value of our total rewards package. The offer also aligns with the pay rise given to our non-unionised employees earlier this year.

“While we respect Unite’s decision to ballot its members, our preference remains to resolve this matter through constructive dialogue. Our focus continues to be the safety of our people and the safe and reliable operation of our North Sea assets.”