An improved pension reform offer by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has been welcomed by Prospect, the largest union representing workers on the sites.

The NDA started a statutory consultation on detrimental changes to final salary pension schemes across its estate on 9 January 2017.

Prospect found the original proposals “unacceptable” as it said they would have resulted in a significant increase in retirement age or in pensionable pay being reduced by up to 75 per cent.

However, a key intervention with the new minister by Prospect deputy general secretary Dai Hudd secured vital last-minute talks. Hudd said: “The unions and the government were heading for a collision until Prospect requested further talks.

“The new proposals protect members’ existing pension age. Individuals will pay more for their pension, but their benefits have been largely protected.”

The key elements of the revised proposal are: improved accrual rates of 1/58; no change to the pension age (either 60, 63 or 65); and, employee contributions will increase by an average of 3 per cent.

Prospect members will now have to consider the offer which is being presented as the best that can be achieved through negotiations. A ballot will follow in April, lasting into May.

The reforms to the pensions affect more than 11,000 people at Sellafield Ltd (Cumbria, Warrington), Magnox Ltd (Anglesey, Ayrshire, Dorset, Dumfriesshire, Essex, Gloucestershire, Gwynedd, Kent, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Suffolk), Direct Rail Services (Cumbria), Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (Caithness), Low Level Waste Repository (Cumbria) and International Nuclear Services (Cumbria, Warrington).

Share Story: