BBC News Online: UK: Scotland

Strike looms at nuclear plant

The members of the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEU), voted to reject a 3% pay increase from the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UK AEA).

The union is hoping the vote will persuade the authority to reconsider its claim for a 5% pay increase.

The 3% pay deal has already been accepted by the majority of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) workers.

The ballot of AEEU members at Dounreay and sites at Winfrith and Harwell showed 103 in favour of industrial action, with 22 against.

Union spokesman Danny Carrigan said he hoped the strength of the vote would persuade management to review the 3% offer to workers.

The UKAEA expressed disappointment at the result of the vote and believed the pay offer was fair and in line with public sector norms.

But it pledged to continue talking to the union in the hope that the dispute could be resolved without the need for industrial action.

Both sides stressed that even if strike action was taken the safety of the Dounreay plant and its employees would not be compromised.