Unite the Union, representing over 1,500 construction workers across 34 contractors at the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria, has confirmed a wave of industrial action amid disputes over pay and allowances
A planned 24-hour strike tomorrow (19 August) by almost 40 Unite members at PX Limited, which provides critical steam and electricity to Sellafield, has been suspended after the company returned to negotiations with an improved pay offer.
Members will now be balloted on the proposal.
Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong said: “PX Limited has returned to negotiations and has put forward an improved offer to our members. Unite has suspended strike action to allow members to be balloted on the proposals.”
However, wider action across Sellafield is still set to go ahead.
Sellafield workers will enact a work-to-rule from 23 August
Sellafield workers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, and are enforcing work-to-rule, meaning workers will strictly work no longer than their contracted hours.
The action comes as a result of a dispute in which Sellafield workers are not being paid equal to workers at other nuclear sites, including Hinkley Point C.
Employers have so far refused to provide specific allowances to Sellafield workers, such as nuclear profession status or hazardous environment pay, whereas Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C both offer these benefits.
Criticism has also been levelled at Sellafield employers for union-busting, including refusing to release union reps in meetings, cancelling site meetings with trade unions, and deducting the wages of reps.
Work will be delayed
Members will begin an indefinite work-to-rule from Saturday 23 August. This will impact progress at the site, which is already behind schedule.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Our members are highly skilled and operate in an extremely challenging environment. Yet employers are refusing to pay rates they’re reasonably asking for.
“The money is there but it needs to find its way to our members to recognise their work and expertise.”
Unite regional officer, Ryan Armstrong, added: “This action will inevitably result in work at Sellafield being delayed – but employers forced our hand by refusing to agree to our reasonable demand to other similar sites. They need to focus not on union busting tactics but instead focus on coming up with a viable offer to avoid further escalation.”
One of several construction disputes
A strike action at Hinkley Point C was narrowly avoided in April, as over 100 tunnellers were originally scheduled to go on strike over a pay dispute regarding inaccurate taxes. The strike was avoided through an offer to grant a payment equal to the surplus tax.
Tenants in Stoke on Trent may soon be facing delays to repair and maintenance as Unite announced that they will begin industrial action if a dispute over annual leave is not resolved satisfactorily.
The dispute concerns Stoke Council office workers having two days more annual leave per year than craftworkers – including joiners, plumbers, and electricians.
As a result, of a surveyed 225 craftworkers, 99% voted in favour of a construction strike action, unless parity is given on the matter soon.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is totally unacceptable that these workers receive less holiday than their colleagues. This can be easily rectified by the council. These workers will receive Unite total support until it is.”
Unite regional officer Asif Mohammed said: “Our members are increasingly angry at the dismissive and anti-union attitude of their department leaders.
“These workers are out year-round in all weathers and will experience multiple physical injuries over the course of their working lives. It is a slap in the face for the council to turn round and say they deserve less holiday.”
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