This vote follows a lack of progress in talks between GMB and Unite and the Offshore Contractors Association in February and March on rota changes, rates of pay, sick pay, and holiday patterns that the employers are seeking as a consequence to the decline in oil prices.

The Offshore Contractors Association is the body for offshore contractors based in Scotland, and the agreement covers members working in mechanical, electrical and allied services, construction, modifications and maintenance work, design and project engineering, fabrication and decommissioning.

"Members have voted overwhelming for GMB Scotland Committee to give the go ahead for an official ballot over the proposals from clients and contractors to change terms and conditions of employment," GMB national officer Dave Hulse said.

"The vote quite clearly demonstrates the anger and frustration of our members employed in the offshore industry. Members are prepared to strongly oppose the changes from clients and contractor."

GMB does not believe proper risk assessments and consultation took place before unilateral action by the OCA, and is concerned that moving to new rotas will have an adverse impact on members' safety health and quality time.

"We will now move to the next step to ballot our members for industrial action. On the deadlocked talks we urge the contractors and clients to reconsider their proposals and get back round the table to arrive at mutually agreed arrangements," Hulse said.

The union has polled its members since February and says the OCA is fundamentally attacking the terms and conditions of workers, calling it "blatant opportunism" around the crisis in the North Sea caused by the decline in oil prices to undermine worker's rights.

The United Kingdom goes to the polls for a national election in May.