Union attacks misleading claims from company over pay and working conditions

Unite, the UK’s largest offshore union, can confirm that strike action by 170 Apache offshore workers is set to intensify in a dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.

A 24-hour period of strike action is scheduled to start from 06.00 hours on 4 November 2026 until 05.59 hours on 5 November. 

The union is announcing further days of strike action over three days which will involve different offshore assets on alternative days.

Strike action by Unite members initially involving the Forties Alpha, Forties Bravo, Forties Delta and Beryl Bravo platforms will start at 18:00 hours on 13 November, and it will conclude at 17:59 hours on 14 November.  

Apache workers on the Forties Charlie, Forties Echo and Beryl Alpha platforms will then start strike action at 06:00 hours on 15 November until 05:59 hours on 16 November. 

Unite understands the previous strike action in late October brought all seven offshore assets involved in the pay dispute to a standstill. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s membership has no option but to escalate their strike action in the face of a belligerent offshore operator which is making billions of pounds in profit. This is a company driven by one simple motive and that is shameful corporate greed.”

“We will support our Apache members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

The union has challenged several misleading claims from Apache in relation to the pay and working conditions of the offshore workers. Unite represents many workers at Apache who earn significantly below the industry average for their job roles. 

The company also operates a detrimental seven days ‘claw back’ policy which is above the industry average. The policy forces workers to complete these days of work without extra pay. 

The Apache workers involved in the strike action include electrical, instrument, mechanical and production technicians alongside telecoms technicians and radio operators.  

Dougie Maguire, Unite Scottish deputy secretary, said: “Many of our Apache members are being offered a real terms pay cut. There is a detrimental claw back policy in place which is above the industry average, and Apache has threatened to withhold back pay. Those are irrefutable facts, and it is unacceptable.”

“The previous stoppage brought all seven assets to a standstill, and we have no choice but to escalate our action until Apache gets back round the table with an offer which is acceptable to our members.”  

Apache is part of the APA Corporation with the parent company in August reporting $1.7 billion of net cash provided by operating activities or approximately £1.25 billion, and $738 million of free cash flow or approximately £558 million. 

ENDS

 Notes to Editors:

For media enquiries please contact Andrew Brady on 07810157922. Email andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org 

Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members.