Workers at 34 constructors with a presence at the Sellafield site will work to rule due to a pay row.
Members of Unite voted for the action as they believe their employers should pay them ‘Sellafield-specific’ allowances.
The union said it represented over 1,500 workers on the site.
The workers range from electricians, joiners, pipefitters, riggers, groundworkers, welders and painters and other construction roles.
In the results papers seen by Cumbria Crack, around 1,640 members were eligible to vote and 910 votes were cast, 55.29% of those entitled to vote.
90.40% voted in favour of action – 819 voted yes and 87 voted no.
The long running dispute is around the employers at Sellafield refusing to resolve requests for additional Sellafield Specific Allowances.
The requested allowances relate to Unite construction members engaging and constructing on advanced technologies projects, the union said.
It said it had asked for the introduction of a nuclear professional allowance for Unite members who are working in a unique environmental at Sellafield but claimed all requests had been refused by the firms which have contracts on the Sellafield site.
The work to rule will begin on Saturday, August 23 and would be indefinite, the union said.
It added: “The action is scheduled to maximise impact with work hampered and delayed across disciplines including electricians, joiners, pipe-fitters, riggers, welders, groundworkers and painters.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members are highly skilled and operate in an extremely challenging environment. Yet employers are refusing to pay rates they’re reasonably asking for.
“The money is there but it needs to find its way to our members to recognise their work and expertise.”
Unite added that it remained committed to resolving the dispute through talks.
It said it wanted employers to return to discussions with a credible offer that:
- Recognised the unique hazards and skill set required at Sellafield
- Included Sellafield-specific and nuclear professional allowances
- Reflected cost of living pressures and stimulus to retain highly trained workers
Members are currently picketing Main Gate.
