Seven subcontractors have temporarily laid off staff at Sellafield nuclear plant blaming the effect of ongoing industrial action.
Workers from subcontractors Altrad, Enigma, Kaefer, Stobbarts and Design Grid began a new five-day round of strike action on Monday (15 December) over an ongoing pay dispute.
The Engineering Construction Industry Association (ECIA), which represents the firms, told Construction News that the firms had been forced to temporarily lay off staff as they were working on projects affected by industrial action taken by Unite members at the site.
“Some of our member companies working on projects affected by Unite’s industrial action at Sellafield have been compelled to temporarily lay off some of their employees, owing to a shortage of work,” the ECIA said.
“They are disappointed to have to make this decision. All reasonable steps have been taken to avoid this outcome.
“We sincerely hope these valued individuals can return to work soon.”
Seven firms ─ two of which have workers involved in the strike ─ have laid off staff: Altrad, Enigma Industrial Services, Kaefer, William King Construction, PPS Electrical, ES Steel and Shepley Engineers.
Union Unite has accused some employers of “exploiting a legal loophole” to make the layoffs.
“These layoffs are taking place under a cover story of a lack of work, but in reality are retribution for strike action,” Unite said.
Unite said it remains committed to resolving the dispute and is calling on employers to enter into discussions with “credible solutions” that recognise the unique hazards and skill set required at Sellafield.
Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong said: “Construction workers are being punished, targeted and now laid off for taking lawful, democratic industrial action.
“These are not operational decisions. They are deliberate, cynical and timed to inflict maximum pressure on workers and their families before Christmas.”
But William King Construction told CN it had laid off six staff due to the “inability to access workfaces at Sellafield as scaffolding required for the programme was unavailable during the ongoing industrial action”.
The workers, it said, had now been taken back on and given work at other sites.
“These employees all had at least 18 months of work ahead of them on our projects across the Sellafield site,” a spokesperson said.
“We are pleased to have secured alternative work for all six across our wider portfolio of projects away from the Sellafield site until the end of January.
“As a small, family-run business employing local people, we have done everything within our power to minimise disruption, distress and loss for our workforce.”
Sellafield Ltd said the affected firms had informed it of the temporary layoffs.
“We can confirm the affected employers have shared their plans with us. While regrettable, we understand the reasons behind them,” a spokesman said.
He said that as the people involved are not employed by Sellafield Ltd, it is not a dispute that it can resolve.
“The industrial action taking place at Sellafield is the result of a pay dispute between some Unite union members and their employers,” he added.
“Our priority, as always, is to maintain the safety and security of the Sellafield site.
“We have provided guidance to our employees who may be impacted in travelling to the site during the action.
“We will also continue to support Cumbria Police as they work to minimise the impact of the action on the local road network.”
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Nicola Harley