Strikes escalate at Sellafield
It starts tomorrow and goes on for nine days
Unite, the union, which represents more than 1,500 construction workers at the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria, has confirmed that its members are taking further strike action over the refusal to accept proposals for additional Sellafield-specific allowances.
Further industrial action will begin on 4 October and continue until 13 October.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Our members are highly skilled workers operating in an extremely challenging environment. That this is the most significant industrial action at Sellafield in recent history speaks volumes about the levels of feeling among the workforce.”
Unite says other nuclear projects, such as Hinkley Point C, offer pay premiums that Sellafield employers have refused to match.
In addition to the strike action, a continuous overtime ban comes into place on 14 October which will see workers refuse to conduct additional work outside their recognised hours – something that is currently common practice due to under-staffing.
Unite says it remains committed to resolving the dispute. The union is calling on employers to return to the negotiating table, to discuss the site-specific proposals that would recognise the unique hazards and skills set required at Sellafield.
It says it would welcome the introduction of the conciliation service Acas, if the employers wish to introduce them.
It adds further strikes are likely if the employer refuses to engage in meaningful and productive talks.