Strike action is set to continue at Sellafield for another two weeks.
The industrial action is being carried out from Monday November 24 by members of the Unite union who work for sub-contractors at the site. An overtime ban is also in place.
The workers are demanding site-specific allowances, which they claim are paid at other nuclear sites.
The union says the workers, covered by the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry and the Construction Industry Joint Council agreements, should be paid the allowance because they work in a highly hazardous environment.
Unite told Cumbria police that additional marching will also begin on Tuesday November 25 between 7am and 10am.
The new march will take place from around the Blackbeck roundabout to the Yottenfews roundabout.
Cumbria police has said that should the march impact traffic movements on the A595, officers will take appropriate action.
Strikers were spotted last month performing a slow march – dubbed the Sellafield shuffle – which resulted in reports of the march taking up to five hours to complete.
It also resulted in heavy traffic around the nuclear site.
For workers trying to get onto the site, bus services will operate from Kangol and Ravenglass car park with police escorts.
The union has also confirmed that strike action will take place from December 1 for a further week.
It added that the latest round of strikes is again being taken over a lack of progress in talks.
It is also calling on employers to return to the table with credible solutions.
Cumbria Crack asked, on October 15, when the union last had face-to-face negotiations with the contract firms it was in dispute with.
Unite told us in response: “Unite have always been open to negotiations, we have highlighted that ACAS could be the vehicle if the employer wish to introduce them.”
Sellafield Ltd said: “The industrial action taking place at Sellafield is the result of a pay dispute between some Unite union members and their employers.
“As the people involved are not employed by Sellafield Ltd this is not a dispute that we can resolve.
“Our priority, as always, is to maintain the safety and security of the Sellafield site.
“We have provided guidance to our employees who may be impacted in travelling to the site during the action.
“We will also continue to support Cumbria police as they work to minimise the impact of the action on the local road network.”
Unite said the companies involved in the dispute were Altrad Services; Amentum Clean Energy; Amentum Enterprise Asset Solutions; AVRS Systems; Balfour Beatty; Careys; DSD; Design Grid; Enigma; Erith; ES Steel Ltd; Flannery; Impwood; Kaefer; Keltbray; Kier; LEL Nuclear; Mammoet; Meldrum; Mitie FM Ltd; Mitie Ltd; Morgan Sindall; NG Bailey; NRL; Nuvia; PC Richardson; PPS Electrical; Rhodar; Shepley; Sir Robert McAlpine; VGC Group; William King; G&M Lawson Ltd; Athena; Stobbarts Ltd and FB Taylor (Cable Contractors) Ltd.
Sellafield Ltd’s information about site access
Sellafield has issued information about site access. It said:
- We may change gate opening times to help traffic flows. We’ll update the electronic road signs with any changes.
- Cumbria police will manage traffic disruption from the A595 and Yottenfews car park.
- As during the previous strike action, the Risley coach will depart from Kangol car park rather than Yottenfews. Pick-up times remain the same.
- Pedestrian turnstiles will remain operational at all site gates (access code needed).
- There may be some delays to on-site deliveries.
- Road safety: Drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists all need to be extra vigilant and careful as ‘normal’ traffic flows could change. Wearing hi-vis is more important than ever. Drivers have the right to proceed safely past pickets without engaging with them.
- Normal Sellafield site access arrangements will apply – you will require a valid SOVA to access the Sellafield site.
- Normal arrangements apply for Yottenfews car park. It can be used by anyone with YOVAs or SOVAs.
- Colleagues are encouraged to make use of the Yottenfews car park where possible, and walk on to the Sellafield site, as this will assist in reducing local traffic congestion and improving journey times onto site.
- Some B111 training courses have changed location – the attendees of those courses have been contacted directly.
- Pass office: Opening hours will be later than usual during the industrial action (10.30am to 2.30pm).
- Toilets are available for those coming in to work, at Yottenfews (security office) and all gate houses.
- Drones – Please be aware we will be deploying drones to monitor traffic during periods of action.
