GMB accuses Sellafield of going back on undertakings and says strike back on

The GMB union firefigthers had originally planned to strike in July, but suspended action after receiving what was described as “a significantly improved offer”.

Chris Jukes, GMB senior organiser, said: “Sellafield made what GMB believed was an offer in good faith a couple of months ago to resolve this dispute, which dates back years, by introducing a warm zone allowance by the end of September.”

Despite the apparent progress and promises two months ago, it appears senior management in Sellafield have gone bent on their undertakings

GMB senior organiser Chris Jukes

He added: “However, despite the apparent progress and promises two months ago, it appears senior management in Sellafield have gone bent on their undertakings and returned to the incompetent communications and negotiating style that has become the way of some top brass at Sellafield in recent years.”

As a result, the firefighters will strike on 17 and 19 October for 12 and a half hours each day. 

In response, Sellafield said: “We made an offer to the firefighters which included an additional allowance for carrying out extra work. We agreed to work with the GMB and the firefighters to assess the value of that allowance. We remain open to further discussions. Our focus is on putting in place arrangements to ensure the site remains safe during any industrial action.”

In a separate dispute, members of the GMB union took strike action last month after rejecting Sellafield’s 1.5% pay increase offer. More than 1,000 members of the Unite union also announced plans to strike this month after rejecting the offer.

In response to that dispute, Sellafield said: “We believe that a no-strings-attached 1.5% pay increase is fair and reasonable, based on company affordability. The [Prospect] union, which represents the largest section of our workforce (more than 5,000), has accepted the same offer which GMB and Unite are taking action over.”