Sellafield nuclear plant contractors to strike

Fellside CHP provides power to the Sellafield plant

Workers supplying the Sellafield nuclear site have voted in favour of strike action over pay.

Almost 40 workers at Fellside Combined Heat and Power facility, the plant supplying the steam and power to the Cumbria site, will take industrial action on 19 and 20 August after rejecting two pay offers.

Owned by PX Ltd, Unite workers are also undertaking an overtime ban.

A spokesperson for the company said it "always" based its pay negotiations on "affordability, fairness and the long-term sustainability of site operations".

They added they hoped strike action "can be avoided".

The final pay offer was 3.5 to 5% depending on a set of criteria, Unite said.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: "PX Limited can clearly afford to pay our members for the vital work they do but is choosing to put profits over people.

"This dispute is completely caused by the employer's greed."

The PX spokesperson said they had suggested a further meeting with Unite to find a way past "the sticking points", but the union had declined to take part.

"We will keep the line of communication open and hope that strike action can be avoided but if Unite members do withdraw their labour, as a responsible business and employer, PX will ensure the safe operation of the site," they added.

A spokesperson for Sellafield added: "As always, the safety and security of the Sellafield site, our workforce and the local community will be our priority during any industrial action."