A ballot is set to be held over whether North Sea helicopter pilots should strike after both Bristow and CHC announced jobs were at risk.
The move comes after general secretary Jim McAuslan visited Aberdeen for a meeting with more than a third of helicopter pilots based in the city.
Balpa said those who attended the meeting yesterday had “been appalled” by employers’ “approach to the redundancies”.
McAuslan said: “Pilots know that jobs will be lost; but there is a right way and a wrong way of doing it and the helicopter companies need to know that we will not accept their approach. We want decent voluntary terms to attract willing victims, more part time working options to save jobs and objective and transparent redundancy selection criteria, which pay proper regard to flying experience – a critical factor in maintaining safety off shore.
“Pilots have also expressed anger at those higher up the supply chain that are exploiting the crazy competition and have called on Government to knock heads together.
“For pilots safety is our number one priority and there is a fear that these redundancies may lead to corners being cut and pilots flying when their focus is not 100% on task.
“Overall the redundancies are bad for employees, bad for business, bad for the UK economy and bad for safety.
“We will now hold an indicative ballot to ask members if they are willing to take strike action. This will close on Tuesday 18th August.”
Bristow Helicopters launched a consultation with North Sea staff over job reductions last month.
The total number of workers facing potential job losses from the company stands at 130 – including up to 66 pilots – in jobs across the UK.
The company said the move was in response to the “ongoing reduction”of oil and gas activity in the North Sea following the decline in global prices.
Up to 50 jobs at CHC Helicopters could be at risk after the company announced earlier this month it would also begin a consultation over job redundancies.