Sullom Voe oil terminal workers celebrate wage win

Unite secures 9% wage increase backdated to April last year as part of three year deal

Unite the union can confirm today (20 February) that its Equans FM members working at Sullom Voe oil terminal in the Shetland Islands have accepted an improved wage offer.  

Around 30 key workers overwhelmingly voted to accept a wage offer negotiated by Unite over three years. The terminal workers are now set to receive a nine per cent wage uplift backdated to April 2023.  

The union has further secured an inflation plus deal for 2024. This consists of the RPI rate plus an additional 2.5 per cent, and for 2025 a similar deal will ensure the Equans FM workers receive an additional two per cent on top of the inflation rate at the pay anniversary date in April.  The terminal workers covered by the pay deal includes control room, electrical, mechanical and field operators.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has successfully negotiated another good pay deal over three years for our members working for Equans FM at Sullom Voe oil terminal. Unite is once again winning the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions in the oil and gas industry.”

The union is currently involved in a separate dispute at the oil terminal involving its members working for Worley Services. Around 40 workers unanimously backed strike action, and action short of a strike.

The dispute centres on Unite members demanding a significant uplift in pay, and improvements to other terms and conditions.  This includes the establishment of a trade union recognition agreement with Worley Services at the oil terminal in order to formally bargain on jobs, pay and conditions. Unite has still to announce dates of any forthcoming industrial action.

John Clark, Unite regional industrial officer, said: "Unite is delighted to have secured a really good deal for our Equans FM membership. The workers will receive a nine per cent increase backdated to last April plus another two years of inflation proof wage increases. This sends a strong signal to other companies based at Sullom Voe to work constructively with Unite to resolve pay disputes.” 

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