A STRIKE by workers at a Scottish missile depot is set to cause disruption to munition supplies on Monday, the GMB union has warned.
More than 50 staff at the Defence Equipment & Support (DES) depot in Beith will walk out over a dispute on retention bonuses.
GMB Scotland said non-craft workers at the base, who prepare arms and munitions for transport, are being refused the same retention bonuses as managers and craft workers, who assemble munitions for the armed forces.
DES is an arm’s length body of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) which delivers equipment and support services to the UK armed forces.
It will be the first strike in the history of the DES.
Chris Kennedy, GMB Scotland organiser, said managers have allowed a two-tier workforce to develop
He said: “These workers are utterly vital to the UK armed forces – they deserve to be recognised as such.
“Instead, management have allowed a two tier workforce to develop, fostering bitterness and anger among workers.
“Today’s strike is the first in the history of the DES – it cannot be allowed to carry on.
“If the Defence Secretary does not step in to right this wrong, supplies of the crucial missiles manufactured at Beith will soon run low.”
A majority of 93% of GMB members at the depot voted for strike action.
The MOD has pre-planned contingency measures are being implemented at to ensure the continued operation of the site and it remains open to dialogue with the union.
