Industrial action at AWE averted for now

Industrial action at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, where the UK builds and maintains its nuclear weapons arsenal, has been averted after an improved offer from the employer.

 

Prospect members had previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action but the employer put a renewed offer of an average 5% consolidated with a £2,275 unconsolidated pre-tax lump sum. This offer was accepted narrowly members, many of them citing ‘desperation’ as the reason for voting in favour.

Bob King, Head of Prospect’s Defence Industry Group, said:

“The threat of industrial action has made AWE see sense and bring forward a more significant payment. Make no mistake though, this is only temporary unless the company makes a pay offer next year that doesn’t leave our members facing unacceptable hardship.

“Management has an opportunity here to fix its broken relationship with the workforce and start engaging with us properly so we can all get on with our jobs and make AWE a successful enterprise.

“AWE need to take a long hard look at how they do business with trade unions who have been hugely supportive of the organisation and a workforce that have worked tirelessly to deliver in the face of a real terms pay cut.”