Harwell and Winfrith workers take strike action

The protests went ahead despite a last-minute deal tabled by Magnox management

Today staff at the Winfrith nuclear site, Dorset – the other half of the company’s Magnox South Sites division – were set to take part in a similar walkout.

The company was formed when RSRL and Magnox Limited merged on 1 April 2015 to form a single organisation operating as Magnox.

Staff at the former RSRL sites in Harwell and Winfrith have been offered a 1.2% pay rise, while those at the other Magnox sites received 1.6%.

Prospect argues that the 1.2% increase will compound significant pay ‘gaps’ that already exist between equivalent roles. In the worse cases, some Magnox South Sites staff will receive nearly £10,000 less than colleagues on comparable grades.

The protest went ahead despite a last-minute deal tabled by management. The unions were asked to cancel the strike in favour of a members’ meeting to discuss the new offer. However, members voted overwhelmingly to show their anger at how the pay talks have been handled.

Prospect negotiator Richard Tabbner said: “Members are furious and want a credible explanation why they cannot have parity with their wider Magnox colleagues.

“Even though the employer finally returned to the negotiating table today, the new deal contains no new money. It is robbing Peter to pay Paul by dividing the existing pay envelope."   

The strikes will be followed by continuous action short of a strike, including working to terms and conditions of employment and to contractual hours of attendance.