Scotland offshore workers to strike, threatening UK fuel supply

Over 160 Apache offshore workers in Scotland will commence a one-day strike on Wednesday morning, targeting the Forties and Beryl oil fields. Unite argues the company’s latest offer represents a real-terms pay cut for many, ranging from a freeze to below-inflation raises, and warns that Apache may withhold back-pay, costing employees thousands of pounds. The union cautions that the walk-out could force the Charlie platform offline, potentially stopping pressure on the Forties Pipeline System, which handles about 29% of the UK’s oil and 30% of its gas.

More than 80 offshore fields and the St Fergus gas plant feed into this network, operated by Ineos. Although conciliation talks with Acas are slated before the strike, Unite’s industrial officer Stevie Davies says Apache has shown no willingness to resolve the dispute. The action underscores tensions between a highly profitable operator and workers demanding fair wages, with broader implications for national fuel security.