Sellafield construction workers among thousands voting to strike

More than 11,000 people are employed at the Sellafield site

Sellafield Ltd Aerial view of the Sellafield site — More than 11,000 people are employed at the Sellafield site

Thousands of construction staff at energy sites across the UK have voted in favour of strike action over pay.

The 3,000 workers include 1,000 from the Sellafield nuclear waste management site in Cumbria.

The GMB union said members' pay had fallen more than 20% behind inflation and so they had turned down a deal for 8.5% in 2024 and 3.5% in 2025.

Sellafield said the vote affected only construction contractors at the site, not its 11,000 direct employees.

The action also involves workers at Stanlow, Fawley, Valero, Grangemouth and Mossmorran oil refineries.

Strike votes are also expected at Drax and Hartlepool nuclear power stations, and GMB and Unite union representatives would be meeting to discuss next steps, the GMB said.

National officer Charlotte Brumpton-Childs said: "The employers have forced our members into a position where they are taking part in industrial action ballots of this scale for the first time in their careers."

Sellafield Ltd said the ballot affected about 1,000 contractors employed under the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI) at the site.

"We are hopeful that industrial action can be avoided," a spokesperson said.

"In the event of any action we have contingency plans in place to ensure the site remains safe and secure."