By Matthew Legg Business editor

Last updated 11:46, Friday, 03 October 2008

SELLAFIELD union chiefs will meet next Wednesday to decide whether to strike in a long running battle over pay.

Members of the GMB and Unite unions began industrial action short of a strike a fortnight ago after rejecting a two per cent rise in basic pay.

Measures included staff sticking to their own jobs, not attending meetings about efficiencies and people seconded to other departments returning to their original jobs.

The GMB warned strike action would begin before October 16 if management refused to re-open negotiations. GMB organiser Steve Gibbons said there had been no approach so far.

Union leaders will decide in a meeting next Wednesday whether to step up action to involve a walk-out, he added.

Mr Gibbons said: “There is still an appetite for strike action if this is not resolved. “I believe there is a mandate for it and, while people are not knocking down our doors calling to walk out of the gates, people are saying: ‘When are we stepping this up?’

“The action so far has had an effect, particularly in departments where they rely on seconded staff.

“Sellafield would say it isn’t affecting them financially, but people not attending efficiencies meetings means they can’t make the savings they want which will cost them money.”

The dispute is over the 2008 pay offer of a two per cent increase in pay and a possible 2.5 per cent on an efficiency bonus.

Members of the Prospect union have voted to accept a pay offer of 2.5 per cent on basic plus bonuses.

A spokesman for Sellafield said the action, which began a fortnight ago, had not compromised safety at the plant. He added: “We remain in constant dialogue with GMB and Unite to ensure that the ramifications of any action are fully understood.”

MLegg@cngroup.co.uk