More than 400 offshore workers employed by Bilfinger UK Limited are set to take part in 48 hours of strike action later this month, as a dispute over pensions escalates.

Unite confirmed that the stoppage will begin on 19 February and run until the end of 20 February, following a ballot result in which 97.6 per cent of voting members backed industrial action.

The strike is expected to affect dozens of offshore installations, with major oil and gas operators including BP, CNR, Ineos Ithaca and TAQA among those impacted.

Unite said the dispute centred on Bilfinger’s pension arrangements, with members calling on the company to move to a gross earnings pension scheme, in line with many other private sector and offshore employers.

The union argued that hundreds of workers were missing out on thousands of pounds in employer pension contributions because their weekly pay patterns meant they did not fully benefit from the current qualifying earnings structure.

Most Bilfinger workers are currently enrolled in a statutory minimum workplace pension scheme, under which the employer pays a maximum contribution of 3 per cent of qualifying earnings.

However, qualifying earnings are defined as income between £6,240 and £50,270, meaning pay outside this band does not attract pension contributions.

Unite estimated that a worker earning £59,580.36 could be losing around £2,254 a year in employer pension contributions compared with a gross salary pension scheme.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said Bilfinger was “putting profits before people” by refusing to improve its pension offer.

“This is a company that can afford to pay but has chosen not to. We will back our members all the way as they escalate their fight to secure a fair pension settlement,” she added.

The union also pointed to Bilfinger’s recent financial performance, with profits reportedly rising to £17.7m in 2024, up from £14m in 2023 and £7m in 2022.

A spokesperson for Bilfinger UK said: “We have been formally notified of industrial action by Unite. Bilfinger UK fully complies with all statutory pension obligations and we have engaged constructively throughout this process, and recently put forward a revised proposal to increase the employer pension contribution and reach a positive outcome.

"We remain committed to further dialogue with our employees, union representatives and clients. Operational safety remains our top priority, and we have procedures in place to minimise any potential disruption.”

Unite industrial officer, Paula Buchan, warned that the strike would cause significant disruption across the offshore sector.

“Hundreds of workers who perform highly skilled and expert work in the offshore sector are not getting the same pension deal as other workers.

"That is unacceptable to our members, who have no option but to take strike action to secure a better deal,” she added.

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