North Sea employers have made an revised pay offer to disgruntled workers.
The Offshore Contractors Association (OCA), whose members include Petrofac, Wood Group PSN and Stork, has been in lengthy negotiations with unions over a pay dispute.
The OCA came up with an offer to increase pay by 2%, but it was rejected by workers.
Recent meetings were called after a series ballots failed to provide a legal mandate for strike action.
The unions said a majority of workers had backed a walkout, but legal requirements for staging a strike were not satisfied.
At least 50% of eligible members must vote in favour of industrial action for a strike to go ahead.
The OCA has now put a new offer on the table which includes the “% increase as well as a £450 lump sum for certain employees.
Officials representing the GMB, Unite and RMT unions have recommended that their members accept the revised offer.
Tommy Campbell on behalf of the Trade Unions GMB, UNITE and RMT said: “All the Trade Unions have worked hard to deliver the best deal for our Union members.
“We are therefore recommending that they vote Yes to this new OCA offer.
“We continue to approach our negotiations in the best interests of offshore workers in the Oil and Gas industry.
“The trade unions are committed to doing all we can to support maximum economic recovery so as to protect jobs and create future employment opportunities for those who lost their jobs in the past few years.”
Paul Atkinson, OCA chief executive added: “Constructive and positive negotiations with the unions have resulted in the joint development of this new offer, which we believe to be in the best interests of everyone involved.”
A consultative ballot is now underway with the unions offshore membership on the new OCA offer.
Officials from union and the OCA, which represents nine companies, including Amec Foster Wheeler, Petrofac and Wood Group PSN, have met numerous times to try to resolve the situation.
Unions have argued for better terms workers, including a wage increase, along with improved sick pay and paid travel time.