More than 1,000 people are to strike at Sellafield over a pay dispute.
If workers walk out, nuclear site clean-up could grind to a halt as electricians, joiners, pipefitters, riggers, groundworkers, welders and painters and other vital construction roles are demanding more pay. The staff are demanding recognition for specialised work in a long-running dispute.
Around 1,500 construction workers are to ballot with Unite, the country’s leading trade union for nuclear site workers. This is from 36 contractors at Sellafield.
The dispute centres around employers at Sellafield refusing to resolve requests for additional ‘Sellafield Specific Allowances’. These would relate to Unite construction members engaging and constructing on advanced technologies projects.
Another demand included the introduction of a nuclear professional allowance for Unite members who are working in a unique working environmental at Sellafield. All such requests have been refused by the employers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Sellafield employers seem intent on siphoning off the profits without paying our members a fair share. Our members are highly skilled and operate in an extremely challenging and hazardous environment. Despite this construction employers are refusing to pay an allowance for our members’ skills and dedication.
“Our members have the complete support of Unite in their dispute.”
Other construction workers in the UK have been rewarded a premium for working at Hinkley Point C, AWE, Sizewell C,BAE Barrow, bringing on more frustration.
Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong added: “Strike action would inevitably result in work at Sellafield grinding to a halt but the employers have brought this dispute on themselves by refusing to negotiate. There is still time to avoid strike action but the employers must return to the table with a viable offer.”
Last week, the Public Accounts Select Committee found that clean-up work at Sellafield was problematically behind schedule. Industrial action would lead to further delays here.
The MPs said they had found “indications of a suboptimal culture” at Sellafield, and noted that the NDA paid £377,200 in 2023-24 to settle employment-related claims.
The Unite ballot will commence on the Thursday, June 12 and will conclude on Thursday, July 24.
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