More than 100 workers at major Angus employer Baker Hughes began strike action at its sites in Montrose on Monday.
It comes after Baker Hughes issued redundancy notices to 250 staff and offered new contracts on reduced terms last month.
It later offered a pay deal to staff to avoid strike action.
Workers protested outside the firm’s Montrose site on Monday.
They held signs that read “stop fire and rehire” and “office staff you will be next”.
Baker Hughes, meanwhile, has said workers’ decision to strike was taken prematurely and without all the facts.
‘Not prepared to accept this’, Unite says
The firm’s proposal meant employees would work more than 80% of the current number of shifts available.
They would retain their 40% shift allowance, with no change to base rate pay.
However, the pay deal was rejected by Unite the union, which has accused the US oil and gas giant of “laying waste to Scottish jobs”.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The proposal to cut our members’ pay by over £10,000 through fire and rehire tactics is a new low for an industry plagued by corporate greed.
“Our members are simply not prepared to accept this.
“Throughout the strike action they will have Unite’s full support in their fight to protect their jobs, pay and conditions.”
Unite estimates the proposed changes to contracts could wipe 29% off workers’ wages.
This would be equivalent to a £10,500 drop in annual income.
Baker Hughes’ sites in Montrose are at Charleton Road and Forties Industrial Estate on Brent Avenue.
A £31m subsea centre of excellence – partly funded by a £4.9m Scottish Enterprise grant – opened in January 2019.
Some workers who spoke to The Courier said they had been given just five minutes’ notice before redundancy notices were issued.
Baker Hughes say strike action ‘premature’
A Baker Hughes spokesman said: “We are disappointed to have reached this stage, having consulted extensively on an outcome which addresses both the business challenges and financial impact on employees.
“We continue to progress an employee-submitted proposal, which retains the 40% shift enhancement pay, and sees employees continue to work more than 80% of their current number of shifts.
“The majority of our employees have agreed to these new terms and conditions.”
Baker Hughes, a billion dollar US oil & gas giant, plans to wipe £10,000 from salaries in the latest corporate greed attack on workers.
Our members in Montrose will fight this corporate bullying & are taking strike action to defend their jobs, terms & conditions. pic.twitter.com/oRhqhiDDkJ
— Unite Scotland (@UniteScotland) August 29, 2022
The company spokesman said the strike action was “premature”.
He added: “Unite the union confirmed the proposed action on August 8 – a full day before the outcome of the consultation was announced.
“This meant Union members voted for strike action without having all the facts.
“We have deployed a range of contingency and safeguarding measures for our employees and customers.
“These include measures to ensure employees not taking part in the strike can continue to report for work, and deploying business continuity plans to ensure there will be no impact to customers.”
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