North Sea workers begin strike over 'massive' cut in pay and allowances

North Sea workers are said to be "solidly" supporting a 48-hour strike in a bitter dispute over pay and conditions.

Members of Unite and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) employed by the Wood Group walked out at 6.30am saying they face a "massive" cut in pay and allowances of up to 30%.

Unions accused the company of turning down an offer to suspend the strike if the proposals were removed, to allow for further negotiations.

The company denied the claims.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The action on the Wood Group Shell assets is solid as a rock again this morning.

"After savage redundancies and attacks on workload and working conditions this group of offshore workers have been told that they are going to be railroaded into accepting pay cuts of up to 30%.

"They have chosen not to bend the knee, they have chosen to stand up and fight.

"The unions welcome the fantastic support that has been pouring in from around the world for this important dispute. We are also well aware that the company chief executive has had a pay increase of 28% to bring him up to Â£600,000.