Offshore workers at Neo Next+ Energy’s Elgin Franklin and North Alwyn platforms have backed strike action after rejecting pay offers of less than 3%, setting up a series of 24-hour stoppages over the coming weeks, according to Splash247.
Dispute Details
The dispute involves around 50 Unite members working in control rooms, production, and senior operator roles, as well as operations and production technician roles. Unite said the pay offers were overwhelmingly rejected by the workforce. The first stoppage is due to begin at 06:00 on July 22, with further walkouts planned for July 29 and then August 5, 12, and 19, all starting at the same time.
| Strike Date | Start Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| July 22 | 06:00 | 24 hours |
| July 29 | 06:00 | 24 hours |
| August 5 | 06:00 | 24 hours |
| August 12 | 06:00 | 24 hours |
| August 19 | 06:00 | 24 hours |
Union and Worker Response
“Pitiful pay offers from an extremely wealthy energy company are totally unacceptable. The Neo Next workers will have their union’s full support in the fight for better jobs, pay, and conditions,” said Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary.
Stevie Davies, Unite industrial officer, added: “Neo Next is treating our members with contempt, and that will not be tolerated. These are highly skilled offshore workers who deserve a far greater share from the millions in profits that the operator is raking in thanks to our members.” He added that the company still has a chance to resolve the issue before the stoppages begin if Neo Next+ “does the right thing.”
Company Profile
Neo Next+ Energy is the largest independent oil and gas producer in the North Sea. The company was formed from the merger of NEO NEXT and TotalEnergies’ UK upstream oil and gas operations in December last year. The two affected platforms — Elgin Franklin and North Alwyn — are key assets in its portfolio.
Implications for North Sea Oil and Gas Supply
The strike action at two major platforms operated by the largest independent North Sea producer poses a risk to UK oil and gas output. While the number of workers involved is relatively small (around 50), they occupy critical roles in control rooms, production, and operations. Repeated 24-hour stoppages could lead to cumulative production losses and operational disruptions. The dispute may also set a precedent for labour relations across the North Sea basin, where pay negotiations are ongoing. Commodity traders and procurement teams should monitor the situation as further escalation could tighten supply of UK continental shelf crude and natural gas, potentially impacting regional benchmark prices.
Upcoming Developments
The first strike is scheduled for July 22. If no resolution is reached ahead of that date, the series of five stoppages will proceed. Any last-minute agreement could be signalled by the company engaging with Unite. The union has indicated its willingness to resolve the dispute if Neo Next+ “does the right thing.” Traders will watch for statements from both parties and any impact on production volumes.
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