Hundreds of workers at Dounreay nuclear power station vote for strike action in dispute over pay

Hundreds of workers at the Dounreay nuclear power station have voted to go on strike next month.

Around 460 workers employed by Nuclear Restoration Services Limited (NRS) are set to take part in strike action amid an ongoing pay dispute.

Unite the union confirmed that their members will strike on May 1 and 2, with more action scheduled for May 15 and 29.

The union had previously warned that strike action was “inevitable” in the coming weeks, and it said NRS had a “final opportunity” to resolve the dispute by making a revised pay offer to the workforce.

Magnox Ltd, currently trading as Nuclear Restoration Services, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

The company put forward a 4.5% pay increase effective from April 2023 which was “overwhelmingly” rejected by members.

The union said the offer amounted to a substantial real terms pay cut as the true rate of inflation stood at 11.4%, when the pay increase was due.

Unite represents workers such as craft technicians, general operators, chemical and electrical engineers, and maintenance fitters and safety advisors.

The union’s members backed the strike action by 85.5% on a high turnout of 82.3%.

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.”

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.”

Magnox has been contacted for comment.