Prospect Union members including nuclear scientists and engineers were on strike at the Atomic Weapons Establishment on 12 March. They claim a mismanaged reorganisation and lack of consultation has destabilised the organisation. Another strike is planned for 26 March. Currently members are ‘working to rule’ at both Aldermaston and Burghfield nuclear licensed sites where the UK’s nuclear warheads are built and maintained.
Prospect members work in specialist roles as scientists and engineers across AWE on the UK’s atomic weapons programme
A spokesperson for the striking workers said: “action is planned to continue until management agree to properly consult on a restructure threatening hundreds of jobs”
A spokesperson for the Office for Nuclear Regulation said: “Site licensees such as AWE are legally required to maintain robust processes for managing their sites safely in all circumstances, including during periods of industrial action.
“We have obtained evidence from AWE to demonstrate that both sites (Aldermaston and Burghfield) will remain fully compliant with legal requirements during the industrial action. “We will continue to regulate AWE effectively throughout this period.”
prospect.org.uk/news/awe-branch-to-strike-over-botched-restructure