Hinkley Point strikes looms as GMB and Unite ballot members over pay row
Construction of multi-billion pound nuclear reactor could now be delayed.
GMB and Unite have today begun balloting members over industrial action at the £18 billion Hinkley Point nuclear power station.
The two unions are holding a consultative ballot of the 700-strong workforce preparing groundwork at the Somerset site.
The ballot will run until Friday with the result expected early next week.
The dispute centres on the failure of the BYLOR consortium, made up of the French company Bouygues TP and Laing O’Rourke, to pay the bonus rate predicated in the HPC Civil Construction agreement.
The other employer Keir Bam is currently not at the negotiating table. The unions argue that the bonus rate offered by BYLOR is insufficient to attract the quality of workers needed to ensure that the civil works phase of the £18 billion project is completed on time.
Adie Baker, GMB regional officer, said:
“The offer made to our members is completely unacceptable and as a result we have today begun a ballot for industrial action.
“Not only is the offer derisory, it actually affects health safety on the site – something GMB can not and will not accept.”
