Sellafield union suspends strike ballot
Last updated 17:09, Friday, 08 August 2008
The Sellafield staff union Prospect, the largest of the union's at the nuclear plant, has suspended its ballot on industrial action due to be held on Monday.
Sellafield Ltd announced today (Friday) that it had resumed negotiations with the staff union, which it said were at an advanced stage.
"Significant progress has been made between the two sides," said a Sellafield spokesman, "and we hope to reach an agreement early next week. As a result of this, Prospect have agreed to suspend their ballot on industrial action, which has been planned for Monday."
The company said it remains open to negotiations with the other Sellafield unions.
The company had met site unions on Wednesday for premliminary talks ahead of full negotiations planned for Thursday, hoping to find a way to resolve the impasse on pay negotiations. But although the company said it had reviewed its previous offer and tabled improved benefits for the lowest paid plus a revised offer on basic pay for the entire workforce, the talks broke down.
Sellafield said after Wednesday's talks that the overall value of what was discussed would have offered the opportunity of earnings up to 4.5 per cent, with the lower paid having the opportunity to achieve five per cent. Employees would also be able to achieve consolidation of up to 3.75 per cent on basic pay.
Earlier this week, hopes were high among both management and unions of finding a last-minute formula which would avert a potentially crippling and embarrassing strike before Sellafield’s new owners – Nuclear Management Partners – take over at the end of November.
Sellafield’s 10,000 workers had been urged by their unions to either vote for a strike or to take other forms of industrial action. But the site’s managing director Barry Snelson last week warned his workers that if they voted ‘yes,yes’ it would be costly and damaging.
He also likened strikes to wars – “there are no winners, only lots of casualties.”
From a Sellafield Ex-Pat.
RE. My previous post. I meant resign not strike! I believe there is a definite attitude by a majority on site of "How can I get out of this job". That exact quote was given to me by a union rep on site as his first words when given a job to do. Although I do believe this is an attitude cultivated by management. A/ For their lack of planning a job and making it easy to "Kick it into touch". and B/ By not leading by example. My old boss used to start late, finish early and do nowt in between.
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To the ASW Worker I know what you mean I was a ASW on site and did not think it was right that as a ASW you get no pay rise at all like what was said before we are fighting for our future as well as ours i think it is sh*t that the management have changed there mind at the last minute to stop the pending strike action and start talks again the unions and management have been acting like kids in the school ground "you say we say"
Posted by EX ASW on 12 August 2008 kl. 19:57