Over 400 offshore members employed by Bilfinger UK are set to commence a 48-hour industrial action next week, impacting numerous oil and gas installations across the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). The dispute, orchestrated by Unite the union, centres on demands for an improved pension scheme.
The planned industrial action is expected to cause significant disruption to the operations of several major energy companies. Assets affected include BP’s Andrew, Clair, Clair Ridge, ETAP, Glen Lyon, and Mungo platforms. CNR International’s Ninian Central, Ninian South, and Tiffany installations will also be impacted, alongside INEOS’s Unity. Ithaca Energy’s Alba FSU, Alba North, Captain FPSO, Captain WPP, FPF1, and Safe Caledonia, as well as TAQA’s Brae Alpha, Cormorant Alpha, and Harding assets, are also on the list of affected sites.
The decision to strike follows an emphatic vote by Bilfinger workers, with 97.6% of those who voted backing industrial action. Unite members are advocating for a transition from the current “qualifying earnings” pension scheme to a “gross earnings” scheme, aligning with practices at many other private sector and offshore companies.
Under the current statutory minimum workplace pension scheme, Bilfinger contributes a maximum of three per cent of “qualifying earnings.” For the 2025/26 tax year, qualifying earnings are defined as income between £6,240 and £50,270. This means that earnings outside this band do not factor into pension contributions, effectively capping Bilfinger’s annual employer contribution at £1,320.90, regardless of an employee’s total income.
Unite contends that this structure, particularly for workers with weekly pay patterns, results in hundreds of members losing out on substantial pension contributions. The union estimates that a worker earning £59,580.36 could be losing approximately £2,254 annually in employer pension contributions compared to a gross salary pension scheme.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, stated:
“Bilfinger is putting profits before people in denying its workers a fair pension. 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.”
This sentiment was echoed by Paula Buchan, Unite’s Industrial Officer, who added:
“This action will cause serious disruption to major oil and gas operators, and the blame for that lies squarely at the door of Bilfinger. 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.”
The industrial action comes as Bilfinger UK Limited has reported significant financial performance in recent years, with profits of £17.7 million in 2024, an increase from £14 million in 2023, and £7 million in 2022.
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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.”
The strike is scheduled to begin at 00:01 hours on Thursday, 19th February 2026, and conclude at 23:59 hours on Friday, 20th February 2026.
