Prospect pay negotiations secures ‘great result’ for AWE branch

Prospect members at its AWE branch have voted overwhelmingly to accept a multi-year pay offer of between 3.75% and 5.5% for the first year, with following years to increase by a further 0.5% above CPI inflation.

Prospect had recommended that members accept the offer in the pay ballot, which they did with 87% voting to accept on a 71% turnout. The deal includes break clauses to renegotiate if inflation falls below 2%, or goes above 4%.

Negotiations began in early May and were conducted through four sessions over the course of a week. The Prospect team comprised of Nathan Morrison, Prospect Negotiations Officer, and two AWE reps, Helen Carp, and Chris Waugh.

After AWE members voted to accept the deal, Nathan Morrison, Prospect Negotiations Officer, said:

“I am delighted to have been involved in negotiating this deal, where we were able to push the employer further and further to secure a great result for our members at AWE, delivering a pay rise that not only outpaces inflation but sets a new benchmark across the MOD-owned sector. The multi-year deal provides stability and fairness, with sensible safeguards to ensure wages keep up with the cost of living.

“Credit goes to our bargaining teams Helen Carp and Chris Waugh who pushed the employer at every stage. Our efforts have secured one of the highest pay offers in the defence public sector this year—a testament to the power of our union in AWE and shows that the Prospect doesn’t just fight, we also win.”

He added that this is currently the highest pay offer in the MOD-owned environment; that it provides a rise that exceeds the pay remit for many staff; and is above inflation at the point it will be backdated to in April.

AWE, the Atomic Weapons Establishment, is an arm’s length Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) wholly owned by the Ministry of Defence, responsible for delivering, maintaining and operating the UK’s nuclear weapons.