Prospect members working at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston and Burghfield in Berkshire have announced strike dates. The strikes are set for 12 March and 26 March, with action short of a strike already under way and due to run continuously.
The union ballot saw 95 per cent in favour of action short of a strike and 81 per cent in favour of strike action.
In November AWE told staff it would start a restructuring programme covering around 7,000 roles, putting 400–500 posts at risk of redundancy while recruiting for about 750 posts. AWE has since increased the number of potential redundancies to 800, but Prospect says management has still failed to provide the information needed to understand and challenge the changes.
Prospect members work in specialist roles as scientists and engineers across AWE. “These workers include world-leading scientists who are proud of the vital work they do on behalf of the nation and our allies but have been pushed to the brink by the repeated errors from AWE leadership,” said the union.
The government recently committed to a historic £15bn investment in a new nuclear warhead programme. Strike action and action short of a strike could cost AWE millions, and the union warns a failed reorganisation could have permanent consequences for the organisation's future.
Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, said: “’Our members are the country’s leading experts in their field and take huge pride in the job they do on behalf of the nation. They deserve a full and honest account of the justification for these changes, and the consequences for the future of the organisation, with a chance to have their own voices meaningfully heard.
“The chaotic and partial provision of information during this process has seriously damaged the relationship between AWE staff and their leadership and is the root cause of this action.
“We have been clear with management throughout this process about the steps they need to take but, while some progress has been made, the core issues remain unresolved, leaving us no choice but to push ahead with this action.”
The Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
