Strikes at Coulport and Faslane nuclear naval bases avoided as 600 workers secure pay rise

Strikes at the Coulport and Faslane nuclear naval bases have been avoided after workers “overwhelmingly” backed a union pay deal.

Unite the Union confirmed on Wednesday that 600 members employed by Babcock Marine (Clyde) Ltd will receive a 7.5% basic pay rise backdated to August 2023.

A £1,350 consolidated payment will be applied in year two of the deal for a period of 12 months until the end of July 2025.

The rise works out as an average increase of 3.95%, along with a commitment by Babcock Marine to work on delivering a four-day working week based on 36 hours.

An increase of 15.8% is also being applied to specific shift allowances across the two-year deal, which Unite said will boost workers’ take home pay.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s membership at the Coulport and Faslane naval bases fully deserve credit for their resolve and standing firm until a better wage increase was secured.

“The two-year pay deal will deliver better jobs, pay and conditions, and it has the overwhelmingly support of our 600-strong membership at Babcock Marine on the Clyde.”

Babcock was awarded a contract in March 2021 by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide services for the nuclear weapon system at Coulport.

The Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) is estimated to be worth around £3.5bn and will run until March 2026.

The programme includes UK naval base operations at HMNB Clyde and HMNB Devonport.

James O’Connell, Unite industrial officer, added: “Unite has successfully negotiated an improved wage deal for our Babcock Marine membership.

“The deal across both years represents an above inflation increase, and this was only possible due to the determination of our members.

“We are currently working with Babcock Marine to deliver a four-day week which will also significantly improve the working environment for our members at the naval bases.”

A Babcock Marine spokesperson said: “We are pleased that through constructive talks earlier this month, we were able to agree a pay deal with Unite Trade Union at HMNB Clyde.

“We continue to work closely with all our trade unions and remain focused on delivering the safe, secure and expert support that our team is renowned for.”