GMB in ‘last ditch’ talks to avoid Sellafield firefighters strike

Members of the GMB union, which represents the firefighters, will meet senior management at Sellafield on Friday in what has been described as “last ditch” talks.

According to GMB, the dispute has been ongoing for several years – “during which time the firefighters have been performing roles above and beyond what they are paid to do – such as paramedic work”, the union said in a statement.

GMB senior organiser Chris Jukes said: “GMB’s Sellafield firefighters have reached the end of their tether after years of working above and beyond their paid role. We are now at the point of last ditch talks if a strike on the site is to be averted.”

Jukes said nobody wants to take industrial action, but added: “The pig-headed attitude of Sellafield’s management, and their unfair application of the job evaluation scheme, has left GMB members with no alternative but to stand up for themselves.

“We urge Sellafield to get round the table with a decent offer on Friday so we can move forward without the need for strikes.”

A spokesman for Sellafield told the BBC on Friday (23 June) the firm was “committed to resolving” the issues.

Crews at Sellafield work in a fully-fledged firefighter role to keep more than 10,000 workers on site safe, the statement added.