Now Sellafield's GMB members vote for strike
Last updated 17:30, Monday, 08 September 2008
WORKERS in Sellafield's main industrial union, the GMB, have joined the site's craftsmen in voting to strike.
A secret ballot has shown 81.5 per cent in favour of going on strike and a slightly lower number, 81.1 per cent, voted for industrial action short of a strike.
GMB convenor Peter Kane said 2,300 ballot papers were sent out and there was a 72 per cent response.
"This sends a clear message to the management that their pay offer is unacceptable, and that our members are ready to take whatever action is necessary. However, we hope we can get round the table again and sort something out."
Site operators Sellafield Ltd will get seven days notice of the result with industrial action to follow after 28 days.
Craft workers in Unite last week also voted 'yes, yes' by a big majority for either strike or other forms of industrial action. Potentially the threatened action by both unions could close production plants and cause serious financial losses.
Operators Sellafield Ltd today declined to comment until it was given formal details of the GMB ballot result. But last week after the Unite result the company said no more money was available, adding: "We would like to repeat that safety remains our No.1 priority and that the company is commited to finding a resolution through negotiation."
Last week Alan Westnedge, Unite’s Whitehaven-based full-time regional organiser, said: “At this stage we are looking at all forms of action but it would not be out of the question for our members to be able to close down the Sellafield site. The ballot percentages show that we have got a clear mandate with the people who have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action.
“The feeling is out there that people feel insulted by the offer and they do want to do something about it. We have a mandate not just from our blue collar but also our white collar members similar to those in Prospect. It is not a foregone conclusion that the Prospect staff will be in favour of accepting two per cent.
“Industrial action is always a last resort and we are now calling on Sellafield management to reconsider their offer, come back round the table with us and try and resolve the issue before we do get to industrial action. The present offer is behind most of the other companies in the nuclear sector, and why they insist on treating the Sellafield employees in such a way, keeping the level of the offer so low, I don’t know.
"Any industrial action is serious. We don’t take it lightly, which is why we are asking the company to reconsider. We will be asking them to enter into safety cover if and when this action takes place.”
Eighty-eight per cent of the industrials voted for a strike and 96 per cent in favour of industrial action short of a strike. The staff section vote is 72 per cent (strike) and 85 per cent (other industrial action). Unite has 1,132 Sellafield members.
“It concerns us that the Nuclear Management Partners [the incoming parent body organisation] are not having an input into this... it’s a bit of shame that the existing management, which will only be in for the next few months, will be leaving this for them to inherit.”
A Sellafield spokesman said last week: “We have been made aware of the numbers, but at this stage we have not been informed of any intent on behalf of the union.
“Whether or not the numbers constitute a clear mandate for industrial action is something which is very much a matter for interpretation. It may be true that 664 industrial workers who are members of Unite have voted in favour of taking strike action – but Unite report their own membership to be over 1,100 industrial workers, and Sellafield Ltd employs over 10,000 people.
“We do not wish to make a snap reaction to the numbers, as both the GMB and Prospect ballots are ongoing, and we would like to hear the results of those ballots.
“We would like to reiterate that safety remains our number one priority, and that the company is committed to finding a resolution through negotiation. However, the fact remains that there is no more money available – the offer we have made to the workforce is the best we can make.
“This is a crucial time for the company, as we aim to play a key role in the national nuclear renaissance, and, as has been said before, we do not believe that a strike would be in anyone’s interest.”
- The final offer made to all unions, and currently being recommended for acceptance by Prospect, is 2.5 per cent on basic pay for all workers, with an extra .5 per cent for apprentices and the lowest paid. There is also the opportunity to earn up to another 2.5 per cent bonus. The final offer also includes consolidation of the first 1.25 per cent of bonus earned into basic pay from 31st March 2009. If maximum bonus is paid (which we are currently on course to do) basic pay will be 3.75 per cent higher from March 31st 2009. We have also offered to bank and pay that bonus, and the existing Sellafield Target Achievement Scheme (TAS) periodically throughout the year.
""Stephen- GMB member "The sheep" aren't killing the "golden goose", thats the mangement and government that have caused the current situation. The fact is the "management" have run Sellafield into the ground over the last few years,(Thorp fiasco, mox fiasco, repository etc..)There are far too many managers being paid far too much money with little or no positive results. Come November when the Americans take over, these managers will be dispensed with, along with the grossly overmanned "middle management" tier.
Next to be streamlined will be ridiculously overpaid "menial" shift workers like yourself.
As for the prospect union doing a complete about turn, why? Fearing for their "staff" jobs? When the big "clear-out" comes it won't matter if you accepted 2% or 22%, if you jobs not required you're down the road, simple as!
Also, how will the management be able to force a lock-out ? There are several thousand workers on the site who are contractors, who are nothing to do with this dispute. They will be expected on site as normal, getting paid, if they are 'locked out', they will still be paid, and 'Sellafield' will be invoiced for them as normal.
Bob-GMB Member, how do you propose the members who voted against strike action are going to sue the union if it goes ahead? Firstly, you took part in a democratic vote where the majority carries the proposal, secondly it should have been an anonymous vote, so how are you going to confirm who voted for or against??
The bottom line is 2 percent is not enough. The Government have plenty of money, Where did the money come from for Northern Rock? 9 Billion for London 2012? Iraq? Afghanistan?
Hold out for a fair rise, otherwise you'll be walked all over next year aswell.
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Have your say
Having worked on the site for a number of years I'm happy with what I am paid. Coming from Carlisle, I am more than aware of the disparity with other equally skilled workers in Cumbria. Check out the wages of shift workers at Mcvitties or Pirelis in Carlisle. Maybe then you will realise how lucky you are.
For the vast majority of people Sellafield is very well paid. After all where else can shift workers with no qualifications (Don't get me wrong I'm NOT saying all have no qualifications or indeed don't work damn hard) but what I am saying is that they earn a damn site more than those who have massive debts through puting themselves through a degree.In my opinion it's a pretty narrow minded attitude to strike. It has the potential to do untold damage to everyone that works there. The offer is the best we can get so just take it and stop being greedy. £40k for working shifts...Think of all the teachers, nurses and police that for years have had lowly pay rises.Posted by D on 13 September 2008 kl. 16:48