Berkshire nuclear defence workers strike
More than 2000 members of Prospect at AWE have walked out for 24-hours in a dispute over pay
Workers at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston and Burghfield are on a 24-hour strike after two months of other forms of industrial action in a dispute over pay.
Action short of a strike started in mid-November and will re-commence on Thursday January 25.
Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy said:
“Our members at AWE who maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent have been left with no option but to strike.
“We have done all we can to facilitate negotiation, but the employer continues to neither bring any meaningful change to the table, or indeed explain any of its previous decisions on pay in a satisfactory manner.
“There is already a recruitment and retention crisis at AWE. If nothing is done to improve pay then the company will be unable to compete for skills and risks being unable to fulfil its critical role in safeguarding our national security."
An AWE spokesperson said:
“Pre-planned contingency measures will be implemented as required to maintain the safety and security of our sites. This remains our highest priority.
“Our offer remains competitive, and we continue to seek a resolution with Prospect.”
What happens at AWE?
AWE Aldermaston covers a site of approximately 750 acres. Once a wartime airfield, today Aldermaston houses advanced research, design and manufacturing facilities.
Nearby, AWE Burghfield is a 225-acre site where warheads are assembled and maintained while in service, and decommissioned when out of service.