Altrad Services construction workers producing steam for Sellafield have called off long-running strikes after reaching an improved pay offer from Sellafield.

The workers, employed by multi-disciplinary services firm Altrad Services, are responsible for access and maintenance of the Fellside site.
Fellside Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant in Cumbria was built in 1993, and provides critical process steam to the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing facility and exports electricity to Sellafield and the National Grid.
Workers began strike action in October 2024, after Altrad Services allegedly ‘reneged’ on previously agreed pay deals, which Unite the Union claimed could have potentially cost workers ‘thousands of pounds’.
Unite claimed Altrad had only given members a 7.3 per cent rise, rather than 11.3 per cent.
Altrad Services has been approached for comment.
The workers voted last week to accept an offer from Altrad that will see the company register to work with the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI) to set annual pay rates.
Following the deal, engineering construction workers at Fellside will see their annual wages increase between £1,100 and £6,000 from April 2025 due to coming under NAECI grades.
Meanwhile, painters and supervisors will receive pay increases from April 2025 of 7.5 per cent and 11 per cent respectively – worth between £2,700 and £4,900 for each worker depending on pay grade.
Unite said these workers will come under a local recognition agreement that will see annual pay rises equal to those set by NAECI.
The deal also includes agreements on back pay, allowances and incentive bonus arrangements.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Well done to Unite’s members and reps at Fellside – without their hard work and solidarity this huge pay win could not have been secured. This is another excellent example of how Unite’s complete commitment to improving jobs, pay and conditions is delivering for our members.”
Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong said: “This is an excellent deal achieved after our members stood together. Those wanting better wages and working lives should join Unite and organise their colleagues to join too.”
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