Babcock bosses have hit back in a war of words over strike action at Scotland’s nuclear bases after hundreds of workers voted to walk out.
The Unite union revealed that members at the Coulport and Faslane naval bases on the Clyde have given ‘overwhelming’ support to the industrial action over pay and future working arrangements.
Babcock said they were “disappointed” but were committed to finding a “mutually acceptable” resolution. Unite officials said that 95 percent of those balloted had backed the move.
The walkout is set to begin on March 12.
A Babcock spokesman said: “We are disappointed that our Unite trade union members at HMNB Clyde have chosen to vote for industrial action.
"Having agreed a 2020 pay deal with part of our organisation, we remain keen to continue to engage with our unite Trade Union representatives, to try and find a mutually acceptable resolution for their members.
“Keeping people safe at HMNB Clyde remains our top priority and we will continue to work closely with our customer to deliver our commitments and ensure a safe and secure environment.
“On the matter of future bargaining arrangements, we are engaged in a competitive confidential procurement process on the Future Maritime Support Programme with the Ministry of Defence.
“Only once the outcome of this competition is known can we have an informed discussion with Unite.”
Stephen Deans, of Unite, said: “The overwhelming support for industrial action from Unite’s membership at the Clyde naval bases should be seen as a strong signal of the frustration and anger felt by the workforce.”
Workers have rejected a “derisory” pay offer.
Deans added: “Babcock Marine have refused to meaningfully engage with us on pay and the future workplace relations at the bases following the outcome of the Ministry of Defence’s Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP).
“Unless Babcock Marine management get back round the negotiating table a wave of industrial action is set to strike the bases from the middle of March. This is at a time when contracts worth up to £200million will be decided upon.
“This situation is not inevitable but a change is solely dependent upon the company meaningfully engaging with Unite.”
The FMSP contracts are expected to be decided upon in April and are set to run from then until March 2026.
Previously, a spokesman for the Royal Navy said: “Industrial action is a matter between the contractor and union.”
