As Rolls-Royce faces industrial action from members of the GMB union, concerns mount over the potential impact on the UK’s nuclear submarine programmes, including the critical Aukus, Dreadnought, and Astute projects. GMB members have embarked on a “work to rule” campaign at the Derby-based industrial giant’s plant, where they manufacture the nuclear reactor plants that power these formidable submarines.
The industrial action, which restricts GMB members to work strictly within pre-agreed hours, while not endangering the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent or the safety of submarines, could still pose a significant threat to the timely delivery of future submarine programmes. This disruption comes at a time when international security dynamics are increasingly tense, with the Aukus agreement, a pivotal security pact formed in 2021 involving Australia, Britain, and the US.
The “work to rule” action is a response to what GMB union members perceive as an inadequate pay offer from Rolls-Royce, following a year of soaring company profits. Despite the company’s assertion that their pay offer was “at the upper end of the nuclear industry,” 90% of the 400 or so GMB members at Rolls-Royce voted in favour of industrial action. Mick Coppin, GMB Regional Organiser, emphasised the union’s stance: “These are highly skilled workers at the cutting edge of British manufacturing. In a year when company profits have skyrocketed, all workers are asking for is a fair day’s pay.”
The timing of this labour unrest coincides with another setback for Rolls-Royce as the firm scales back plans to construct two new factories for its small modular reactor (SMR) programme in the UK. This decision follows delays to a government design competition. There is insufficient time to construct the factory and produce the initial pressure vessels by the early 2030s.
Rolls-Royce maintains that they have business continuity plans in place to mitigate the effects of industrial action. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence, which ultimately oversees the UK’s defence capabilities, has been approached for comment on the unfolding situation.
Relevant articles:
– Nuclear submarine programme at risk as workers stage industrial action – The Telegraph, The Telegraph, 04/29/2024
– Rolls-Royce scales back plans to build nuclear factories in UK, The Telegraph, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 15:44:00 GMT
– Industrial action hits defence giant Rolls-Royce, GMB Union, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 14:17:26 GMT