Oil and gas production could be hit if the strike goes ahead

They have been meeting union leaders in Aberdeen following a strike ballot in favour of industrial action, after their 50% pay rise demand was rejected.

RMT union chief Stan Hershaw said it was still possible to avoid a strike.

He said: "It is a question of the employers being reasonable and also positive at the same time."

They are now saying it is time to put the matter right Stan Hershaw RMT union

Mr Hershaw said that the meeting of members was "constructive".

"But you could sense the anger and militancy that was coming out of the meeting," he added.

"They are very determined this time around.

"They have had two decades of terrible pay and now the industry is booming, the contract books are full and they are now saying it is time to put the matter right."

The International Marine Contractors Association, which represents the divers' employers, had offered a 15% increase over three years.

The RMT union balloted divers and support workers on the offer and they rejected it by 640 votes to two.

Severely disrupted

Union chiefs warned that only a "dramatically improved" deal would stop the strike going ahead on 1 November.

The RMT said divers were carrying out probably the most dangerous job in the North Sea.

They go below the cold waters to carry out work on wells and pipelines.

If the action proceeds then oil and gas production could be severely disrupted.