Nuclear workers accept Sellafield pay deal

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Nuclear workers accept Sellafield pay deal

Members of Prospect, the largest nuclear union recognised by Sellafield Ltd, have voted to accept a tabled pay deal by over three to one in a secret postal ballot.



The deal covers up to 6,000 engineering and managerial grades employed at the Sellafield, Risley and Capenhurst sites.

The union agreed to canvas members’ views after management tabled an improved offer during last ditch talks in August aimed at avoiding strike action.

The deal accepted by Prospect members includes a 2.5% basic increase plus a potential 2.5% in bonuses, paid quarterly rather than at the end of the year.

It includes an agreement to consolidate the first 1.25% of the bonus into salary from March 31, 2009 – before any increase arising from next year’s negotiations, making the deal worth a total of 3.78%.

On behalf of over 4,350 Prospect members employed by Sellafield Ltd, Prospect National Secretary Mike Graham said: “While we recognise it is not the greatest of pay deals we weighed up the pro and cons of industrial action and decided that strike action risked more than it offered to gain.

“For example, not only would our members lose bonus scheme payments such as the deal payable on leaving BNFL management, but jobs could be lost if plant stopped during any action was not restarted.”

In addition, said Peter Clements, chair of Prospect's Sellafield section of the union, the government’s pledge in July to invest millions in the north west ‘energy coast’, alongside a belief that no more money could be gained, had convinced members that this was the wrong time to pick a fight.

“Our members would walk away from any action they felt may shake the confidence of future investors or threaten the West Cumbria West Coast Energy initiative, because we need investment in new nuclear build, jobs and skills.”

Plus, said Graham: “Sellafield’s new management company, Nuclear Management Partners takes over in November so members believe now is the time to focus on partnership not conflict.”