Hinkley Point C unrest continues as steel erectors down tools

Steel erectors working for contractor William Hare downed tools yesterday, the latest of the unrest at Hinkley Point C

An unofficial one-day stoppage of work took place yesterday, as the new nuclear power station site Hinkley Point C continues to be embroiled in labour disputes and unrest.

Steel erectors working for contractor William Hare downed tools in response to existing shift rotation patterns on the site, wanting to change the current 11/3 and 10/4 rotation to a regular 10/4 arrangement.

The unrest follows a spate of similar walkouts at Hinkley Point C

On the supply side, 150 platers, welders and sheet metal workers at Darchem Engineering in Stockton-Upon-Tees (a Hinkley Point C supplier) secured a pay boost worth up to 13% after seven weeks of walk-out action.

GMB WIN : Darchem Engineering workers secure 13% pay rise

More 150 workers stuck together through 7 weeks of strike action

— GMB Union (@GMB_union) August 8, 2023

After employers cut travel allowances by 50%, around 125 mechanical and electrical workers under the MEH Alliance staged a walk-out in late July.

Since that incident, it is understood that the MEH Alliance contractors – Altrad, Balfour Beatty Bailey, Cavendish Nuclear and Doosan Babcock – have agreed to restore travel allowances.

More walkouts are planned at Hinkley Point C

Over 300 scaffolders working for BYLOR, a joint venture of French firm Bouygues Travaux Publics (TP) and Laing O’Rourke, downed tools on 2 August.

They are understood to be planning weekly unofficial strike action of one day a week in regard to pay rates and shift patterns on site.

A contractor commented that: “Things have been bubbling for a while. We have been wanting the mechanical rate; our travel pay is way below what the MEH Alliance get.

“This week, we just made a stand. It’s not a happy camp here.”