The Unite union has said that more than 500 power station workers are set to strike this week after they rejected a “significant real terms pay cut.”
Workers at Dounreay power station in Thurso “overwhelmingly” voted to reject the pay offer of a one off £500 payment plus a 4.5% pay rise.
The pay offer from the Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) is a real terms pay cut, Unite said.
On Wednesday workers will strike and an overtime ban will take place on Thursday, with another planned walkout on 29 May.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s growing membership at Dounreay power station have overwhelmingly rejected this revised pay offer because it still represents a significant real terms pay cut.
“Unite will continue to back our members at Dounreay power station all the way in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Marc Jackson, Unite industrial officer, said: “Unite has repeatedly told NRS that pay offers which amount to a significant pay cut just isn’t going to be tolerated.
“We have a growing membership at Dounreay, which is down to the hard work of our shop stewards and NRS need to realise, if they don’t already, that we are heading for prolonged industrial action.
“Unite is actively looking at further days of action because NRS seem incapable of resolving this dispute through negotiation.
“The company should be under no illusions as to the determination of our members to get the pay rise they deserve.”
Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser, added: “Given the economic situation, our members have not been offered a pay rise at all but a real-terms pay cut.
“Managers insist they are bound by civil service rules but apparently can pick and choose which rules to follow.
“They seem far more relaxed when it comes to their own pay, for example.”
A spokesperson for NRS said: “We are disappointed by today’s announcement but remain committed to finding a resolution that is fair and affordable.
“Our contingency plans are being implemented to ensure the site remains safe, secure and compliant during any period of industrial action.”
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