A UNION has confirmed industrial action is looming at two nuclear naval bases in Scotland as its members will be balloted over a pay dispute.
Unite the union has confirmed its 600 members employed by Babcock Marine at the Coulport and Faslane naval bases on the Clyde will be balloted on industrial action in a dispute over pay.
The union was offered a seven per cent pay increase backdated to August 2023, with a further three per cent pay rise in August this year.
However, members of the union overwhelmingly rejected the two-year pay offer by 99 per cent as they said the offer represents a “substantial pay cut” due to the rate of inflation.
The ballot will run for two weeks and opens May 21.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s membership at Coulport and Faslane fully deserves a fair pay increase. Babcock Marine is a wealthy company that can easily afford to make a decent offer to its workers.
“Pay offers which in real terms amount to sizeable pay cuts, just won’t cut it. We will support our members’ fight for better jobs, pay and conditions all the way.”
Babcock Marine was awarded a contract in March 2021 by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide services for the nuclear weapon system at Coulport, as well as the Strategic Weapon Support Building (SWSB) Faslane as part of the UK’s nuclear weapon deterrent program.
The Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) is estimated to be worth around £3.5bn and will run until March 2026.
James O’Connell, Unite industrial officer, added: “Babcock Marine need to get serious about its pay offer or face significant disruption as a result of industrial action.
“Babcock Marine must take the opportunity to make a decent offer, but they should be under no illusions as to the determination of our members to get what they deserve.”
