Hundreds of workers at Scots nuclear power station to strike amid row over pay

Hundreds of employees at a Scots nuclear power station are set to go on strike amid a row over pay.

A total of 460 workers at Dounreay power station in the Highlands will down their tools on May 1 and May 2. Unite the Union, which represents the staff, said an overtime ban will also be in place as further industrial action is scheduled for May 15 and May 29.

The union previously warned that strike action was ‘inevitable' after it gave employers Nuclear Restoration Services Limited (NRS) a ‘final opportunity’ to resolve the dispute by making a revised pay offer. The Record understands it has recently changed its trading name from Magnox Limited.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members at Dounreay are a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, it is disgraceful that the management at NRS think that a substantial real terms pay cut is in any way acceptable. Unite will back our members at Dounreay power station all the way in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

The pay dispute centres on a pay offer of 4.5 per cent, effective from April 2023, which was rejected by union members. Unite’s NRS membership includes craft technicians, general operators, chemical and electrical engineers, maintenance fitters and safety advisors.

The membership backed strike action by 85.5 per cent on a turnout of 82.3 per cent.

Marc Jackson, Unite industrial officer, added: “NRS is burying its head in the sand. We have repeatedly told them that our members will not accept a derisory pay offer. Instead of getting back round the negotiating table after our members emphatically backed strike action, NRS has continued to string the workforce along.

"The games being played by NRS are now at an end with the announcement of these strike days. This situation is entirely of NRS’ own making because this dispute could easily be resolved, by the employer making a fair pay offer to its workers.”

As spokesperson for NRS said: "We are disappointed by the announcement of industrial action and remain committed to working with the unions to find a resolution that is fair and affordable. While we still hope industrial action can be avoided, we will now implement contingency plans to ensure minimum staffing levels are in place to maintain safety, security and environmental protection during any period of disruption."

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