In a press release despatched to Rigzone by UK union Unite on Tuesday, the union introduced that its offshore catering members have accepted an above inflation pay provide from the Catering Offshore Commerce Affiliation (COTA).
The general pay bundle is value a rise of 4.5 % and runs for one 12 months beginning on September 1, 2024, Unite famous within the assertion, highlighting that the deal features a fundamental 4 % improve in pay, will increase in journey, mileage, and dinner allowances, and a rise in a festive cost.
The COTA wage deal covers over 2,000 employees in offshore catering corporations together with Aramark, Conntrak, Entier, ESS, FOSS & ESG, Sodexo, and Trinity Worldwide Companies, Unite mentioned within the assertion. The Union highlighted within the assertion that its membership lined by COTA “consists of cooks, cleaners, heli-admin, and stewards who ship catering and ancillary providers throughout North Sea oil and fuel installations”.
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“It is a good wage deal for our offshore caterers which covers 2,000 employees,” Unite Common Secretary Sharon Graham mentioned in a union assertion.
“The pay bundle negotiated by Unite demonstrates the worth of being a commerce union member. We’re absolutely dedicated to enhancing the roles, phrases and situations for employees within the offshore oil and fuel sector,” Graham added.
Unite Industrial Officer Shauna Wright mentioned within the assertion, “the COTA wage deal backed by our offshore members will ship a big enhance to pay packets”.
“It’s a deal we’re happy to have efficiently negotiated and it enhances fundamental pay and allowances. The deal offers a strong platform to construct upon for subsequent 12 months’s negotiations,” Wright added.
Rigzone requested COTA for touch upon Unite’s assertion. In response, COTA Chairman Andrew Thomson instructed Rigzone, “we’re happy that the current provide from COTA has been accepted by Unite and RMT”.
“This provide and its acceptance by union members underscore our continued dedication to honest compensation and displays the collaborative method to negotiations by all events,” he added.
“The acceptance of this provide is a constructive step ahead for each COTA and our valued workforce,” he continued.
COTA highlights on its web site that it was established over 20 years in the past and represents corporations which provide catering and auxiliary providers to offshore oil and fuel rigs within the North Sea.
“COTA’s major precedence is sustaining a collective give attention to security and repair supply for the advantage of our clients and our folks,” COTA states on its web site.
“Collectively we make use of over 3,000 workers, together with cooks, bakers, stewards and administrative staff members,” it provides.
COTA outlines on its web site that it has “two key roles”. One pertains to “worker phrases and situations” and the opposite to “well being and security necessities”, the location factors out.
“Yearly COTA corporations come collectively to overview the present phrases and situations for workers. This consists of wage rises and vacation entitlements. These phrases and situations are negotiated with the 2 unions which characterize a proportion of our staff – RMT and Unite,” the COTA web site notes.
“Offshore installations within the North Sea are topic to very stringent well being and security necessities. COTA corporations meet to make sure these necessities are exceeded for the advantage of clients and workers,” it provides.
Unite describes itself because the UK and Eire’s main union preventing to guard and advance jobs, pay, and situations for members working throughout all sectors of the financial system.
In a separate assertion despatched to Rigzone by Unite on Tuesday, the union mentioned it “has secured an improved pay deal for employees at Scottish Energy Power Community (SPEN)”. The deal follows the rejection of a primary provide, Unite highlighted within the assertion, including that the employees are primarily based all through the UK.
“The 2 12 months deal will imply a minimal improve in 12 months one in every of 5.5 % for all employees, with some employees receiving an extra improve relying on grading and the place they’re on the pay matrix,” Unite mentioned within the assertion.
“An additional improve in 12 months two of inflation plus 1.5 % (to be primarily based on CPIH in March 2025) with the minimal award being 3.5 % and the utmost 5 per cent may also be utilized. There may be an settlement to reopen pay negotiations ought to CPIH in March 2025 exceed 4 %,” it added.
Rigzone has contacted ScottishPower for touch upon this Unite assertion. On the time of writing, ScottishPower has not but responded to Rigzone’s request. SPEN is a subsidiary of ScottishPower, the latter’s web site highlights.
To contact the writer, e mail andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com
