STRIKING nuclear workers have been warned by site bosses that they “will not budge” over a pay dispute.

Hundreds of Sellafield Ltd workers staged a mass rally in a protest over pay on Tuesday – and a 48-hour strike is now under way.

The health physics monitors (HPMs) – who assess radiological conditions at the site – downed tools for four hours on Tuesday and held a rally opposite the site’s Main Gate.

The action was followed up with a 48-hour strike which began at 6am yesterday (Wednesday) and saw picket lines formed at the Sellafield’s three main gates, causing long tailbacks for motorists bound for site. Pickets are also planned for Thursday morning.

The GMB union, which represents the 388 HPMs involved in the action, says that its members deserve a universal pay rise, while Sellafield Ltd maintains that the increase should be based on merit.

A large proportion of those on strike gathered for Tuesday’s rally. Chris Jukes, a senior organiser with the GMB, claimed Sellafield Ltd has reneged on pay promises made to the monitors.

He said: “This dispute is becoming more fractious due to management’s attitude to its staff and the game of spin being played to try and turn other workers on the monitors.

“The monitors are pro-nuclear and want to work - they are losing pay by taking this action - but the management is blatantly hostile and have a lot of questions to answer.

“As a group of workers, you need to stand together. Keep the faith and we will win this dispute.”

The long-standing dispute centres on the criteria of a pay rise pledged to the HPMs negotiated in January last year. The GMB argues that all HPMs should benefit from the new rate, while Sellafield Ltd says it should be awarded based on a worker’s skills and responsibilities.

Sellafield Ltd says that it stands by its position. Rory O’Neill, director of stakeholder relations, said: “Our fundamentals remain the same. We believe a core group should be rewarded and we support an uplift for the cream of the workforce; but there will not be a blanket uplift and we will not budge on that.”

More than 83 per cent of monitors took part in a ballot for industrial action on July 6 and voted overwhelmingly – almost 98 per cent – in support of action. Mr Jukes added that it is the “most clear mandate ever seen” during his 15-year career. The first strike took place on July 28.

Roger Denwood, deputy GMB convenor on site, told the rally: “The company’s pay offers have been an insult. We are open to meaningful discussions but we won’t listen to an offer that covers only 50 monitors; the pay grade should be open to all.”

Mr Denwood said that HPMs earn a basic £29,470 salary plus allowances, while Sellafield Ltd says HPMs earn a £40,000 average.

Dave Bewley, a monitor and former union shop steward, told his colleagues: “Don’t be fooled by management statements that this action is not having an impact on the site. The management is losing the trust of the workforce.”

Mr O’Neill says that Sellafield has offered an independent mediation service which has been declined by the union. He added that “this offer remains on the table and we hope the GMB responds positively” to resolve the dispute.

A march that had been due to take place between Yottenfews car park and the Main Gate on Tuesday was cancelled at the last minute on health and safety grounds.

Mr Jukes says the union will “assess its position with regards future action” after the strike ends at 6am on Friday, adding however that it is “up to management to make the next move”.