Nuclear demolition workers ‘overwhelmingly’ back strike action

Hundreds of workers at Scotland’s largest nuclear clean-up and demolition project have “overwhelmingly” backed strike action over a pay dispute, Unite has confirmed.

The union said its 460-strong membership employed by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) at Dounreay power station backed strike action by 85.5% on a turnout of more than 82%.

Unite has warned that strike action will be “inevitable” in the coming weeks, adding NRS has a “final opportunity” to resolve the dispute by making a revised pay offer to the workforce.

The company has recently changed its trading name from Magnox Limited.

Unite explained the dispute is a result of what it describes as an inadequate pay offer of 4.5%, effective from April last year, which was “emphatically rejected” by 95% in a consultative pay ballot.

This offer, Unite added, “amounts to a substantial real terms pay cut”, as the true rate of inflation stood at 11.4%.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Dounreay workforce have overwhelmingly backed industrial action because NRS has repeatedly failed to make them a fair pay offer. At the same time, the company has found the time to feather the nests of its directors.

“Unless NRS quickly gets back round the negotiating table to make our members an offer they deserve, then industrial action will be inevitable. Unite will fully support our members at Dounreay power station in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Marc Jackson, Unite industrial officer, added: “The Dounreay power station workers have spoken loudly and clearly. Unacceptable pay offers by NRS will no longer be tolerated. The workforce is undertaking an extremely important job and they are experts in their field.”

“NRS has basically strung our membership along since January 2023 and they have simply had enough of the company’s games. There is a final opportunity to make our members a serious offer or any industrial action will lie at the doors of the directors who have so richly remunerated themselves while ignoring the workforce.”

A Nuclear Restoration Services spokesperson said: “We are disappointed by the result and remain committed to working with the unions to find a resolution that is fair and affordable.

“While we hope industrial action can be avoided, we will now implement contingency plans to ensure minimum staffing levels are in place to maintain safety, security and environmental protection during any period of disruption.”