Electricians employed by NG Bailey working at the Atomic Weapons Authority (AWE) in Berkshire are to be balloted for strike action in a dispute over bonus payments.

Missing bonus

The dispute is a result of the decision by NG Bailey not to pay a bonus of £6.50 an hour to its workers, despite the bonus being authorised by the client AWE. The bonus is being paid by other electrical contractors on the project, with AWE picking up the bill. It’s designed to offset the cost of living crisis.

Approximately 100 Unite electricians who work at NG Bailey on Awe’s Mensa project, will begin balloting for strike action on Monday 13 February with the ballot closing on Friday 10 March. If the workers vote for industrial action, then strikes could begin later next month.

Beyond comprehension

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “NG Bailey’s behaviour is beyond comprehension. AWE has authorised bonus payments to the workers and yet NG Bailey is still refusing to pay them.

“Unite always prioritises the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and the union will be giving its total support to the NG Bailey workers at the AWE.”

NG Bailey is a lucrative company and its latest accounts reveal that it made profits of £800,000.

AWE’s Mensa project is building a new facility for assembling and disassembling nuclear warheads.

Talks needed

Unite regional officer Malcolm Bonnett said: “If NG Bailey wants to avoid strike action, which will cause serious disruption and delays, then it needs to return to the negotiating table and agree to pay the bonus in line with other contractors.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

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Email: [email protected]

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