Trident nuclear weapons could be disrupted by industrial action, union claims

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Around 70 Unite members employed by companies forming the ABL Alliance — AWE plc, Babcock Marine and Lockheed Martin — began a continuous overtime ban today, working only their contracted hours.

Unite said the specialist nature of the services means even action short of a strike could bring Coulport operations to a standstill. 

The action is due to escalate to three days of strikes on November 16, 17 and 19 unless an enhanced pay offer is tabled. 

It was backed by 98.2 per cent of members.

The union blamed the ABL Alliance — a joint venture awarded a Ministry of Defence contract to provide services for the Trident weapons system at Coulport — for failing to table an acceptable offer, saying members were left with “no option” after a breakdown in pay talks.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members at Coulport naval base are critical to national security. “The ABL Alliance is amassing fortunes on the back of our members’ skills and professionalism.”

Unite regional co-ordinator James O’Connell said: “The ABL Alliance is completely undervaluing our members. 

“We have tried to resolve this pay dispute, but the companies have continued to table unacceptable pay offers to our members, which is why they have no option left but to take industrial action.

“Action short of strike action, alongside the days our members will stop working entirely, will severely impair the UK’s nuclear response capabilities. 

“At a time of great global instability, it is astonishing that the ABL Alliance is behaving in this grossly irresponsible and reckless way.”

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