Bilfinger (UNITE) Strike Calendar

Unite can confirm that 48-hour strike action involving over 400 offshore members employed by Bilfinger UK Limited has been suspended following a new improved offer in a pension dispute. Due to the threat of strike action Bilfinger has returned to the negotiating table to make an offer which would increase the company’s contributions to the pension scheme. A consultative ballot on the new offer will close on 23 February 2026.

Unite has announced that 48-hour strike action involving over 400 offshore members employed by Bilfinger UK Limited will take place in February in an escalating pension scheme dispute. Strike action starting at 00.01 hours on the 19 February will continue up to 20 February when the action concludes at 23.59 hours. A majority of Bilfinger workers previously emphatically backed strike action by 97.6 per cent in a fight to secure a fairer pension deal.

A number of major oil and gas operators will be hit by the widespread strike action involving Bilfinger offshore members including BP, CNR, Ineos Ithaca, and TAQA (see notes to editors). Unite members are demanding that Bilfinger move to a gross earnings pension scheme like many other private sector and offshore companies because hundreds of workers are losing out on thousands of pounds in pension contributions due to their pattern of pay being weekly.

Unite members are demanding that Bilfinger move to a gross earnings pension scheme like many other private sector and offshore companies because workers are losing out on thousands of pounds in pension contributions due to their pattern of pay being weekly. The majority of Bilfinger workers are enrolled in a statutory minimum workplace pension scheme where the company pays a maximum three per cent of “qualifying earnings” contribution.

The qualifying earnings income is between £6,240 and £50,270. Anything above or below that does not factor in pension contributions. It means Bilfinger’s annual pension contribution is capped at £1,320.90 per year irrespective of income. Unite estimates that around £2254 is being lost every year in employer pension contributions when compared with a gross salary pension scheme for a worker earning £59,580.36.