Nuclear specialists to take industrial action

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Nuclear specialists to take industrial action

Prospect members at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in Berkshire, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in pursuit of a fair pay offer for 2010. Members will take action short of a strike beginning on 23 November.



On behalf of Prospect members, who represent the majority of specialist staff at the Aldermaston and Burghfield sites, negotiations officer Bob King said: “Our members are not militant and are very loyal to AWE, but the current offer (less than 2 per cent for most members) does not reflect the success of the organisation.

Members have had poor pay settlements imposed on them, seen an ongoing increase to their pension costs and faced redundancies – yet still maintain the very high standards expected at the organisation.

“In stark contrast, and with no financial contribution, the controlling companies (Lockheed Martin, Serco and Jacobs) have watched as the company’s pension contribution has decreased, while the cost of the directors has increased and have also maintained the huge profit they take from AWE.

“In addition they supply contract staff to AWE at a cost of £54 million in 2009. We have no doubt this will significantly increase in 2010,” said King.

”We intend to notify the employer that members will take action on November 23. We cannot emphasise enough the need to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Our members do not want to be engage in industrial action, they want to do their jobs.

“But they need to do so in the knowledge that their employer will treat them fairly. We remain willing to meet with AWE at any time to reach a conclusion that will benefit all parties,” added King.