OFFSHORE workers issued a strike threat to North Sea oil bosses yesterday over plans to force through shift changes and cuts to pay and leave in response the the oil price crash.

Unite industrial officer Tommy Campbell said the union will launch a consultative ballot of its Offshore Contractor Association (OCA) membership after a failure to agree with bosses last Friday over “opportunistic” changes to working conditions being imposed.

About 2,500 workers — including electricians, plumbers, mechanics and riggers — will be asked to consider a range of industrial action up to and including strikes.