EDF has told around 2,000 mechanical and electrical (M&E) workers to stay away from the Hinkley Point C construction site until next Monday (8 June) after they downed tools in a dispute over shift patterns and other grievances, Construction News understands.
The client for the £46bn Somerset nuclear project suspended the passes of workers from the MEH Alliance who took part in a sit-down protest on Tuesday (2 June).
It is understood that operatives refused to undertake scheduled tasks on site and instead sat down for long periods in areas including the canteen and changing rooms.
The workers are believed to be unhappy with a proposed change to shift patterns being introduced in July that will see them on duty for 10 days in a row every fortnight.
CN understands there have also been claims made regarding the safety of an area used to clock on and off shift, although EDF firmly denies these claims.
To allow other works to take place in the areas vacated by the M&E teams, and to free up space in the shared eating and changing spaces, EDF is understood to have decided to ban the protesting workers from site.
A worker at the site, speaking on condition of anonymity, has disputed the official position.
“Not one single worker downed tools and refused to work, the dispute is not over shift work patterns, [and] they have not temporarily been kicked off site,” they told CN.
“Instead they where prepared to work in a safe environment, the dispute is over safety and nothing to do with work patterns.
“They have been put on garden leave at the request of the client.”
CN was also contacted by an MEH Alliance worker who described the situation as “a safety stand-down, not industrial action”.
Talks are believed to be underway with trade union representatives in a bid to broker a return to normal practices next week.
A spokesperson for Hinkley Point C said: “We have experienced unofficial industrial action being taken by members of the MEH workforce.
“There are well-established processes with trade unions to resolve any workplace concerns, and unofficial action is not acceptable.
“As a result, MEH workers have been told not to return to site until Monday. Other construction workers continue to work as normal across the site.
“Along with our trades union partners and MEH management team we encourage a return to following the agreed processes.”
An update sent by project chiefs to workers recently, and seen by CN, acknowledged reports of a crane lift very close to a clock-in station and walkway.
It added: “An investigation has since been completed, including a review of the relevant crane footage also viewed by the trade unions.
“The lift was carried out in accordance with the approved lifting plan and site procedures. The investigation has concluded that there was no risk to personnel at any stage of the operation.”
Up to 14,000 workers are now on site every day at Hinkley Point C as the project progresses at pace. A 250-metre-high crane was used to lift its second nuclear reactor into place last week.
The MEH Alliance – a consortium of Altrad Services, Cavendish Nuclear, Altrad Babcock, NG Bailey and Balfour Beatty – is responsible for the mechanical, electrical, heating and air conditioning installation work at Hinkley Point C.
The alliance and the Unite, GMB and Prospect unions have all been contacted for comment.
GMB national secretary Charlotte Brumpton-Childs said the union was “aware of ongoing issues at Hinkley Point C”.
She added: “We are in regular dialogue with members and management to find a resolution.”
