Hinkley Point C workers strike again over pay dispute

It’s the second time since October 2024 that strike action has taken place, as engineering and design workers are locked in a dispute with EDF over pay.

Members of the trade union, Prospect, who are working for Alten on EDF’s Edvance Project, took part in strike action at the company’s Bristol offices for 24 hours from midnight on Tuesday, November 5.

Action short of a strike, including withdrawal of goodwill, is continuous following the formal conclusion of strike action. 11 workers responded to the ballot for strike action after pay talks stalled.

Andy Jennings, Prospect National Secretary, said: “There has been no progress on pay talks since the previous day of strike action so our members have been left with no choice but to strike again.” 

“We do not want to take this action, but the employer has refused to give all its workers a cost-of-living pay rise.”

“If the employer wants to avoid further action and the potential project delays that would entail then they need to come back to us with an offer which at a minimum enables our members to cope with rising costs.”

Alten has around 60 people working on Hinkley Point C and on Sizewell C. There are more than 3,000 engineers working on both projects. 

A spokesperson for EDF said: “The Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C projects take the well-being and fair treatment of all staff within their supply chain very seriously and do not tolerate any activities which are unlawful or inconsistent with our values of fairness and equality.”

“Some of our suppliers do employ people from overseas to complement the UK workforce, to bring specialist skills and expertise from other nuclear projects, however we expect all workers to be treated fairly and consistently.

“The company in question provides services to the UK EPR Engineering function of EDF. EDF will investigate these claims and, if they are found to be correct, will take appropriate action.”