Power station workers reject pay deal

Up to 30,000 construction workers were balloted over continuing efforts to end a dispute that saw a series of walkouts earlier this year and rejected an improved pay and conditions offer from the employers.The decision has re-ignited fears of a national strike crippling power plants across the country.

Shop stewards had recommended the offer of a guaranteed pay rise of at least 3% over the next two years. But the rank and file workforce voted against the deal during a ballot last week.

Members of Unite and the GMB are furious about the influx of foreign workers being paid below industry agreed rates.

Unite's assistant general secretary, Les Bayliss, said: "Recent events at engineering construction sites at Lindsey, Staythorpe and Uskmouth have infuriated construction workers and as a result our members in the industry have rejected the employers' latest offer...It's now time to return to the negotiating table to thrash out an improved offer. The workers are still looking for movement from the employers on an effective means of workers being included in future construction projects."