HUNDREDS of offshore workers will go on five two-day strikes between now and the end of the year following an escalating dispute over pay.

The industrial action will hit platforms in the North Sea operated by energy giants such as BP and Equinor, and raise further questions over supply security this winter.

Contract workers involved in drilling and maintenance will take part in five two-day strikes, after Unite rejected a five per cent pay rise - which it considers a real terms pay cut. It will involve workers employed by Archer, Maersk, Transocean and Odfjell.

Unite has warned that the protest could escalate to all-out strike action.

(c) 2022 City A.M., source Newspaper