Prospect members at the National Nuclear Laboratory have voted to accept a two-year pay deal worth 2.8% and 2.5%, with changes to overtime payments and an increased, non-contractual bonus.

The deal provides:

• a 2.8% increase to base salaries and allowances that are subject to annual uplift, from 1 April 2020
• a 2.5% increase to base salaries and allowances that are subject to annual uplift, from 1 April 2021
• overtime on Mondays to Fridays will be increased to time and half for all employees who are currently eligible for overtime payments, from 1 April 2020

Although the company bonus scheme rules are not subject to collective bargaining, NNL has confirmed that the Target Achievement Scheme (TAS) bonus scheme payout levels for 2020-2021 will increase by 2.8% on the 2019-2020 levels.

NNL and the unions also agreed that if the Office for National Statistics’ average RPI figure exceeds 2.5% for January, February and March 2021, the unions and the company could reopen negotiations for 2021/2022 if either party requested this.

Prospect negotiator Jo Livesey said: “The deal is one of the first fruits after establishing new ways of working together by NNL and Prospect. Both sides worked hard to change the nature of the relationship and it is good that the result is a pay deal that was welcomed by members.

“The union’s work continues in earnest, as we look forward to securing more wins for our members.”