EXCLUSIVEBy Alan Irving

Last updated 12:42, Friday, 16 May 2008

LAST-DITCH talks between unions and Sellafield management were described as “fruitful” and “constructive” by both sides.

The sides got round the table yesterday after Sellafield workers voted to reject the company’s pay offer of two per cent on basic pay and the chance of another two per cent through making savings. 

Further talks have now been scheduled for next month.

Leader of the industrial workforce, GMB convener Peter Kane, said after the meeting: “We met with the company and it was very fruitful and we will now move forward. We put suggestions to the company and they are going to look at them and we’ll meet in a few weeks.

“I don’t want to pre-empt any of the suggestions but it was a worthwhile meeting and we made some progress.”

In a statement, Sellafield said: “Sellafield Ltd today met with the trade unions to continue the negotiations on pay and conditions. The talks were constructive and further talks are planned for June.”

The pay wrangle has been sparked by Sellafield’s refusal to improve its offer of a two per cent rise on basic pay, plus the chance to earn an extra two per cent by working more efficiently.  The offer was “overwhelmingly rejected” by the workforce in a secret ballot.