OFFSHORE oil workers in GMB have voted to accept a new settlement on rota changes, they announced yesterday — in spite of Unite members in the same sector rejecting it.

North Sea oil companies have attempted to change rosters alongside rates of pay, sick pay and holiday patterns following the sharp drop in the oil price last year — in breach of the Offshore Contractors Agreement (OCA), signed by a number of companies alongside Unite and the GMB.

The unions put a strike threat on hold following talks in June — but Unite members voted to reject an improved offer, going against a recommendation from officers.

Yesterday GMB national officer David Hulse said: “GMB members have voted to accept the latest offer from the employers to end this dispute. We have conveyed the result to the OCA employers.

“In view of the rejection of the offer by Unite members in a ballot vote, GMB is urging Unite and the employers to join with us to seek a resolution of the dispute.”

The third main union in the North Sea, the RMT, is not a signatory to the OCA but could ballot members in relevant companies if other unions voted for strikes.

RMT organiser Jake Molloy told the Star it was unclear what would happen now the two signatories had voted opposite ways.

He said that at a recent meeting, his members were “questioning the theory of industrial action to effectively support an agreement that specifically excludes them.”

“We’re getting kicked from pillar to post by big oil’s agents,” he added. “This needs a collective group of trade unions to sit down and discuss it. Now more than ever we need to show a collective stance to bring about unity.”