‘FANTASTIC RESULT’ FOR SELLAFIELD STRIKERS
Unite members have won a huge pay rise at Altrad Services, Cumbria, which produces steam for Sellafield. Unite achieved the improved pay offer after a series of long-running strikes, writes Keith Hatch.
The members, responsible for access and maintenance of the Fellside site began strike action in October. This followed a string of broken promises from their employer, who reneged on previously agreed pay deals.
Workers originally agreed to an 11.3 per cent rise in January 2024. This followed an additional 4 per cent salary increase from Altrad during the cost of living crisis, which staff were told was permanent.
But Altrad chose to give members 7.3 per cent, rather than the agreed rise – the reduction matching the cost of living increase.
This broken promise caused outrage among staff, who felt they were left with little choice but to take industrial action – which brought the employer back to the table.
Members voted this January to accept a new offer from Altrad that will see the company register with the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI) to set annual pay rates.
Engineering construction workers at Fellside will now see their annual wages increase between £1,100 and £6,000 from April 2025 due to coming under NAECI grades.
Meanwhile, painters and supervisors will receive pay increases this April worth between £2,700 and £4,900 for each worker depending on pay grade. These workers will come under a local recognition agreement that will see annual pay rises equal to those set by NAECI.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Well done to Unite’s members and reps at Fellside – without their hard work and solidarity this huge pay win could not have been secured.”
The deal also includes agreements on back pay, allowances and incentive bonus arrangements.
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Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong added, “This is an excellent deal achieved after our members stood together. Those wanting better wages and working lives should join Unite and organise their colleagues to join too.”
Unite rep Jamie Doran thanked Ryan and Unite their support in settling the dispute. “After a long 16 weeks, myself and the members on Fellside are really happy that Altrad finally decided to come to an agreement that all the members were happy with, allowing us to get back to work earning the fair pay that we deserve.
“The time on strike obviously affected us all financially and mentally, and we very sadly lost a friend and colleague during this time, which has been hard to deal with.”
National Officer Jason Poulter added, “It’s a fantastic result for members at Fellside, and sends a clear message to employers across construction to honour deals that have been agreed with workers.”
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