Drax power station canteen staff walk out in pay dispute

Canteen workers on the picket line outside Drax near Selby, North Yorkshire.

Canteen staff at the UK's largest power station, Drax in North Yorkshire, have walked out in a row over pay.

The Unite union says the workers, who are employed by BaxterStorey, want a £1 an hour increase.

Industrial action started in early December and there are plans for further strikes later this month.

BaxterStorey said it had already brought in the Living Wage pay rise and was introducing a new benefits package focused on "wellbeing and family".

The 19, predominantly female, workers have already rejected a £380 one-off payment from BaxterStorey, an independent hospitality provider based in Morley, Leeds.

"With the cost of living crisis, we can't carry on working for peanuts. It's just not on. We're not young kids and we need to keep our heads above water," said canteen worker Jane Carr.

Unite has accused BaxterStorey of "corporate greed" after posting a turnover of £449m and operating profits of £25m in 2022.

The union's general secretary Sharon Graham said: "BaxterStorey is rolling in profits but is refusing its hard-working Drax canteen staff a fair pay rise.

"These strikes will continue until an acceptable offer is put forward."

Negotiations between union leaders and BaxterStorey are expected to continue and a further 14 days of strike action will start on 22 January unless an agreement is reached.

A spokesperson for Drax said none of its employees was involved and hoped a resolution would be found soon.