Wood Group, UK Unions to Ballot on New Terms

Unions and employer Wood Group have come up with a proposal that they will put to the UK workforce next week, in order to secure a permanent return to work.

Wood Group said late September 6 that after a "series of in-depth discussions, Wood Group representatives, officials from the Unite and RMT unions and shop stewards have now drawn up a mutually agreeable proposal which we consider to be in the best interests of all parties."

The industrial dispute began over reductions imposed on workers' terms and conditions, which Wood Group said were still above the agreed industry standard. A series of one-day strikes began in late July although, as it was summer maintenance work on gas platforms, there was no impact on production. Then on August 12 they dropped their public opposition and intensified their talks but behind closed doors. At the same time the workforce returned, on their previous terms.

Wood Group is now "in contact with all our offshore workers who are involved, to set out the terms of the new proposal, together with what it means to each individual’s terms and conditions. The Unite and RMT unions will begin balloting their members next week."

William Powell