Atomic Weapons Establishment staff are set to stage a 24-hour strike next week over planned changes to their pension schemes.

Supported by Prospect union, AWE staff will stage two days of industrial action on 14 and 15 November following a consultative ballot earlier this year. The ballot saw 87 per cent of members voting in favour of strike action and 94 per cent backing action short of a strike.

The strike, taking place next week will be coordinated by both Unite and Prospect staff members.

Staff have affirmed that they are staging the industrial action as a result of the AWE’s proposal to substitute its DB scheme with a DC alternative that offers less benefits than the DC scheme currently in operation. The plans are “frankly insulting”, Prospect negotiator Richard Tabbner said.

The firm’s reluctance to negotiate or make amendments to the new pension plans has left AWE members with no other choice in protecting their retirement income.

“Despite the ballot result, we had hoped that action might be avoided by the company bringing forward an improved offer,” Tabbner added.

“Taking strike action is always a course of last resort for Prospect. Unfortunately the employer is not prepared to improve its current derisory offer, so we have been left with little choice but to go ahead with the actions mandated by our members.”

“Safety is always our paramount concern and it is important to emphasise that we will meet with the employer to ensure that minimum safety levels are maintained.”

An AWE spokesperson said: “AWE’s commitment is to put in place future pension arrangements which ensure the long-term affordability of the scheme. We are continuing to hold detailed and meaningful discussions with the trade unions. We have undertaken detailed contingency planning to ensure we have resilient measures in place to deal with industrial action.

“We are working closely with the MOD and MDP whose responsibility it is to secure the AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield sites. We can reassure the public that the company has in place procedures to maintain the safety of our operations and we will continue to meet our regulatory requirements.”

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