Construction workers at Sellafield are set to stage a fresh week-long strike after talks over a nuclear site allowance failed to make progress.
Nearly 2,000 trades workers will walk out from 15-21 June in an escalating dispute over demands for a site-specific payment recognising the specialist skills and hazards involved in working at the UK’s largest nuclear complex.
The action follows accusations from union Unite that the Sellafield construction employers group has failed to engage in meaningful negotiations despite repeated requests for talks.
Union members argue that construction workers operating on the highly regulated nuclear site should receive additional recognition comparable to other groups working across the Sellafield estate.
The workforce is involved in delivering major projects and hazard reduction programmes at the Cumbrian site, one of Europe’s most complex nuclear facilities.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The employers at Sellafield need to start playing fair by our members, who are all highly skilled workers operating in an extremely challenging environment.”
The union said it remains willing to negotiate and is seeking a settlement that recognises the unique conditions faced by construction workers on site.
Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong said: “This is a dispute of the employers’ own making. Unite remains willing to enter into meaningful negotiations and the site negotiating team continues to work tirelessly to find a resolution.
“We have requested discussions so every opportunity to avoid industrial action can be explored. Our members simply want fair recognition for the work they undertake and have been left increasingly frustrated by the continued failure to engage in meaningful discussions.”
Construction workers at Sellafield are set to stage a fresh week-long strike after talks over a nuclear site allowance failed to make progress.
Nearly 2,000 trades workers will walk out from 15-21 June in an escalating dispute over demands for a site-specific payment recognising the specialist skills and hazards involved in working at the UK’s largest nuclear complex.
The action follows accusations from union Unite that the Sellafield construction employers group has failed to engage in meaningful negotiations despite repeated requests for talks.
Union members argue that construction workers operating on the highly regulated nuclear site should receive additional recognition comparable to other groups working across the Sellafield estate.
The workforce is involved in delivering major projects and hazard reduction programmes at the Cumbrian site, one of Europe’s most complex nuclear facilities.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The employers at Sellafield need to start playing fair by our members, who are all highly skilled workers operating in an extremely challenging environment.”
The union said it remains willing to negotiate and is seeking a settlement that recognises the unique conditions faced by construction workers on site.
Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong said: “This is a dispute of the employers’ own making. Unite remains willing to enter into meaningful negotiations and the site negotiating team continues to work tirelessly to find a resolution.
“We have requested discussions so every opportunity to avoid industrial action can be explored. Our members simply want fair recognition for the work they undertake and have been left increasingly frustrated by the continued failure to engage in meaningful discussions.”
