By Alan Irving

Last updated 16:05, Wednesday, 23 July 2008

SELLAFIELD workers were told yesterday how much they can expect to earn if they accept a new pay deal rather than take industrial action.

The company carrot was being dangled just as trades unions are preparing to organise a secret ballot recommending militant action.

Operators Sellafield Ltd circulated a memo to the 10,000-strong nuclear workforce giving examples of potential earnings over the next 12 months if they accept what is on offer.

A process worker on shifts could pick up £40,779, a team leader on shifts £51,243 and a day work administrator £17,549. All the examples are based on salary, efficiency savings and bonuses.

In an earlier ballot, the workforce rejected the company’s offer of a two per cent rise on basic pay and the chance to earn the same again through more efficiency.

But the Sellafield Ltd brief sent out yesterday tells workers: “It is important for you to know that the company had been prepared to make a higher offer, but this was only on the table if the trades unions and Prospect (staff) had been prepared to recommend it to their members for acceptance.”

The offer was later withdrawn.

Head of the company pay negotiating team Paul Foster added: “I understand that people are disappointed with the offers that have been made, I understand this is a difficult time for everyone but this is the best offer the company can make and I consider it to be a fair one in the context of the difficult economic climate faced by both employees and the company.

“I genuinely believe that the efficiency bonus is realistically achievable and that there is every prospect of people being able to earn the maximum level of that bonus.”

Mr Foster says if the workforce accepts, salaries would be potentially 3.275 per cent higher by April 2009 than at present.

Workers have also been told, officially, that they could also be in line for what has been dubbed “a golden goodbye” bonus of up to £2,000 each after Sellafield ownership changes hands from BNFL to the preferred bidder, Nuclear Management Partners, after November.

The Whitehaven News understands that this bonus could be threatened by industrial action.

Paul Foster says in his brief: “Employees at other companies which have separated from BNFL have received a payment in recognition of their efforts following the successful completion of their transition process.

“Such a payment may be available for Sellafield Ltd employees but the decision on whether or not to pay that bonus will be a matter for BNFL.

“It is not part of the current pay negotiations.”

The Site GMB convenor, Peter Kane, reacted: “It is obviously an attempt to influence the ballot.

“The company is being selective, picking out the best paid of the workforce; not those on the lower end of the scale, where the laundry, change room and general administrative staff are earning between £14-£17,000.

“We are confident that the workforce will accept our ballot recommendation to take industrial action if need be.”

Mr Kane added: “Our claim included an element to lift the pay of the lower earners but the company dismissed this out of hand.”