Sellafield workers plan industrial action in health-and-safety row

Workers at the Sellafield nuclear site have voted to take industrial action in a row over health and safety.

Unite said its 1,200 members at the site in Cumbria overwhelmingly backed a campaign of action.

A meeting will be held next week to decide what form the action will take.

Unite said it had been trying for 10 months to have a union official appointed to a health and safety role at Sellafield, adding that talks have now broken down.

Regional officer Steve Benson said: "Our members have lost patience with Sellafield management who have steadfastly continued to ignore our very reasonable request.

"All they are asking for is their right for a co-worker to become a union shop steward at the Sellafield site to represent construction workers and keep them safe.

"It makes sense for our members and the company and it will help improve industrial relations and a safety and welfare culture at the site.

"Unite members have no wish to take action but are being forced to do so by a company unwilling to take our members' concerns seriously.

"Unite has a proud track record of working with employers to resolve disputes and is urging Sellafield to get back to serious talks."

A GMB spokesman said: "GMB members on the site have applied to the regional committee for permission to move to an official strike ballot over safety."

A Sellafield spokesman said: "We are aware that discussions have taken place between Unite union and the contracting community about a ballot that could potentially lead to industrial action by those members.

"Sellafield Ltd is not directly involved in the potential dispute, which does not involve any of our employees, but we will be monitoring the issue closely. We hope all parties can reach agreement. Safety and security at the site will be unaffected by any resulting industrial action."