UK's Unite union says TotalEnergies workers balloting on strike action

(Reuters) -UK's Unite union on Friday said that offshore workers employed by TotalEnergies are balloting for possible strike action.

"Around 50 Unite members based on the Elgin Franklin and North Alwyn platforms are involved in an escalating dispute after the overwhelming rejection of an unacceptable pay offer," the union added.

According to the union, the dispute revolves around the pay claim for 2025, set to take effect from January 1.

TotalEnergies initially proposed a 1.5% basic salary increase, which was overwhelmingly rejected by the workers. The offer was then marginally raised to 1.75%, but this latest offer, amounting to a real terms pay cut, was similarly rejected, the union added.

Union said that the ballot for strike action covering the Elgin Franklin and North Alwyn platforms will open on April 29 and close on June 2.

"Unite's members undertake a number of roles on TotalEnergies platforms including skilled engineers, control room and senior operators along with mechanical, operation and production technicians," the union said in the press release.

(Reporting by Anushree Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Kim Coghill)