Fears strikes by shipyard workers will risk more delays to much-needed new Royal Navy warships
Fears that building of much-needed new warships could be delayed in a row over pay
Strikes by shipyard workers will risk more delays to the building of new warships, unions have warned.
GMB Scotland said support staff supplying tools, materials and equipment for BAE Systems shipyards on the upper Clyde will strike on Monday (June 8) after rejecting a three-year pay offer.
The union said that planned strikes by shipyard workers employed by GXO Logistics will risk disrupting the already-delayed construction of HMS Glasgow, the first of eight Type 26 anti-submarine frigates for the Royal Navy.
The workers claimed the offer does not match the deal secured by BAE staff or close the salary gap between them.
Rory Steel, GMB Scotland organiser, said: “The work of these shipyards is built on the experience, expertise and commitment of our members.
“Logistics workers are fundamental to the successful operation of these yards and GXO management must understand their determination to ensure their role is properly recognised and fairly rewarded.”
However GXO has said that it ‘put forward a proposal which is fair and competitive’ and has pledged to find a resolution.
A GXO spokesperson added: “We remain committed to ongoing dialogue with our colleagues and are working towards a resolution."
Workers will strike at shipyards in Govan and Scotstoun on Monday and Tuesday, at BAE Systems supply hubs at Linwood, Renfrewshire, on Thursday and Eurocentral, Lanarkshire, on Friday.
GMB members rejected a three-year pay plan that would increase wages by 3.5 per cent in the first year and 3 per cent in each of the following two years.
The results of an official ballot revealed 97 per cent of the workers backed industrial action with a turnout of 84 per cent.
Mr Steel said the strikes were not “only about pay” but “fairness and respect.”
He said: “Our members can’t accept being underpaid for the work they do. Management must ensure the long-standing pay gaps between GXO colleagues and BAE workers is first calculated and then closed.
“How can colleagues, working beside each other in similar roles of similar value, be paid differently?
“BAE Systems brought GXO in to cut costs but our members are not prepared to accept wages below their worth.
“This not only about pay but fairness and respect and needs to be addressed with urgency.”
HMS Glasgow and her seven sister ships will primarily be deployed in the North Atlantic alongside autonomous systems, forming a hybrid navy.
Due to replace many of their Type 23 counterparts, they will be based at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, while five new Inspiration-class Type 31 ships which are also being built will be based in at HMNB Portsmouth.
A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “This is a matter for GXO Logistics and its workforce.
“We have made temporary arrangements to minimise any impact to our activities from the strike action.”