Ithaca operated Alba FSU and FPF1 assets set for disruption
Unite workers employed by Bilfinger are being balloted over strike action on North Sea assets operated by Ithaca Energy in a dispute over jobs, pay, and conditions.
Around 20 workers are involved in a dispute over the refusal by Ithaca Energy to extend a retention bonus worth up to £14,500 to Bilfinger workers on the Alba Floating Storage Unit (FSU) and its floating production facility (FPF)1.
Ithaca Energy have excluded the Bilfinger employees who include scaffolders, engineers, deck, and rope access workers from the bonus scheme without any explanation to Unite. Unite has since learned that workers of other companies on the Ithaca Energy assets are in receipt of the bonus payment.
The Ithaca Energy-operated Alba field operates the assets for storing heavy crude before transfer to tankers.
The ballot will open on 18 March and run until 8 April.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary said: 'Our members are being wrongly denied a payment they are fully entitled to. Ithaca Energy is an incredibly wealthy company that can fully afford to pay the bonus. If Ithaca and Bilfinger refuse to include the workers within the retention scheme, then our members will have no option but to fight for what they deserve.'
Ithaca Energy provided a trading update in February 2026 which highlighted $2.0 billion profit before tax up from $1.4 billion in 2024, while Bilfinger UK further posted profits of £17.7m in 2024 up from £14m in 2023, after a £7m recorded profit in 2022.
Paula Buchan, Unite industrial officer said: 'Unite has been trying to resolve the retention bonus with Ithaca and Bilfinger to secure a fair outcome for our members. Ithaca are funding the retention payments because it is the asset owner but it has refused to include the Bilfinger workers within the scheme while workers of other companies are in receipt of the payment. Ithaca’s refusal to recognise the contribution of Bilfinger members is both unfair and unacceptable, which is why we will ballot our members on industrial action.'
Background
Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members.
Source: Unite the Union
