MAINTENANCE workers operating at Sellafield are to strike this month, as the union accuses their employer of 'reneging' on previously agreed pay deals.

Unite members at the site, who are responsible for access and maintenance of the Fellside site which produces steam for the wider Sellafield site next door, are taking industrial action from October 10-15, October 17-22 and October 24-29.

The union has claimed that their employer, Altrad Services, has reneged on previously agreed pay deals, potentially costing workers thousands of pounds.

Unite alleges the members were originally advised and agreed to a 11.3 per cent rise in January 2024 and that prior to that, during the cost-of-living crisis, Altrad paid an additional four per cent salary increase which staff were told was permanent.

However, the union says that Altrad have only now given members a 7.3 per cent rise, rather than the agreed 11.3 per cent – the reduction being the same as the cost-of-living increase.

Unite say that these actions have caused ‘outrage among staff who have been left with little choice but to take industrial action’.

The union's regional officer has said that the strike action looks set to cause ‘significant disruption’ across the site.

Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong added: “Strike action will inevitably cause significant disruption across Sellafield but this dispute is entirely of Altrad’s own making and the solution is entirely in its own hands.

“Our members are rightly furious at how they’ve been treated. They will have the total support of their union as they begin their industrial action."

The union claims that in its last set of accounts, Altrad Services made £25million in profit from revenues of over £334million. It also paid £16million in share dividends.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Altrad is behaving appallingly by breaking promises and agreed pay deals with workers. They cannot give with one hand and take with another.

“This is a company making tens of millions in profits and yet it treats its vital workers with disdain. They will see the anger of our members on the picket line.”

Altrad Services have been approached for comment.