Union warns of frigate delay in Rosyth dockyard strike

The new Type 31 will undertake a variety of operational roles for the Royal Navy

Royal Navy frigates could see "significant delays" as yard workers at Rosyth prepare to strike in a dispute over pay, union bosses have warned.

Unite said about 100 workers at the Fife yard employed by contractor Kaefer supported industrial action.

The union said workers were prepared to strike for 12 weeks to "get a decent wage rise".

It claimed it would threaten progress on the £1.25bn frigate contract at the Babcock-owned yard.

About 98.4% of workers backed strike action. These include painters, cleaners, scaffolders and support service strike.

Unite said they would down tools between 17 April and 10 July.

• Construction work starts on Royal Navy frigates

After they announced plans to strike, staff were offered a below-inflation pay rise of 7.2%, which was rejected.

Regional industrial officer Bob MacGregor claimed the company refused to make any offer for months, then "panicked following the strike vote".

He said: "Kaefer in turn are blaming Babcock who own the yard for this situation but it's a mess they have jointly created.

"It's a really shoddy way of managing industrial relations at Rosyth.

"The imminent strike action will have a knock-on effect for the Type 31 contract, and it will undoubtedly lead to significant delays."

Babcock was awarded the frigate contract after a competition between rival consortia

The Royal Navy has ordered five Type 31 frigates, which are known as the Inspiration class. The 139m long vessels will carry 107 crew.

HMS Venturer is the first set to be built, followed by Active, Formidable, Bulldog and Campbeltown.

A Babcock spokesman said: "We are aware of the situation between Kaefer and their Unite members and will work with our sub-contractor to mitigate any impacts to our Rosyth operations."

A spokesman for Kaefer said: "We continue to support constructive dialogue between Unite and Kaefer to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.

"The safety of our teams remains paramount and will not be affected by any potential industrial action."