Nuclear site clean-up could grind to a halt if workers walk out. Staff demanding recognition for specialised work.

Unite, the country’s leading trade union for nuclear site workers, is to ballot around 1,500 construction workers from 36 contractors at Sellafield.

The affected workers range from electricians, joiners, pipefitters, riggers, groundworkers, welders and painters and other vital construction roles.

The long running dispute is around the employers at Sellafield refusing to resolve requests for additional ‘Sellafield Specific Allowances’. The requested allowances relate to Unite construction members engaging and constructing on advanced technologies projects. 
A further demand was for the introduction of a nuclear professional allowance for Unite members who are working in a unique working environmental at Sellafield. All such requests have been refused by the employers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 
“Sellafield employers seem intent on siphoning off the profits without paying our members a fair share. Our members are highly skilled and operate in an extremely challenging and hazardous environment. Despite this construction employers are refusing to pay an allowance for our members’ skills and dedication.

“Our members have the complete support of Unite in their dispute.”

Feelings are running high given that other construction workers within the UK are rewarded a premium for working at Hinkley Point C, AWE, Sizewell C,BAE Barrow.

Sellafield plays a crucial national role, in managing the UK's nuclear legacy, including the largest stockpile of plutonium. The site's decommissioning, fuel reprocessing, and waste management efforts are vital for long-term safety and security.

Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong added: 
“Strike action would inevitably result in work at Sellafield grinding to a halt but the employers have brought this dispute on themselves by refusing to negotiate.

“There is still time to avoid strike action but the employers must return to the table with a viable offer.”

Only last week the Public Accounts Select Committee found that clean-up work at Sellafield was problematically behind schedule. Any industrial action at the site would lead to further substantial delays. The MPs said they had found “indications of a suboptimal culture” at Sellafield, and noted that the NDA paid £377,200 in 2023-24 to settle employment-related claims.

The Unite ballot will commence on the Thursday 12 June and will conclude on Thursday 24 July.