Over 1,200 construction workers have downed tools at the decommissioning and renewal project at Sellafield in Cumbria.

The two and a half hour strike took place this morning 5 August between 5:30am and 8am in a campaign to improve health, safety and productivity.

Members of construction union Unite took action after a refusal by Sellafield and the group of sub-contractor companies to facilitate a full-time union convenor on the site.

Picket lines were set up outside the entrances to Sellafield including the main gate and followed an ongoing work-to-rule and overtime ban which has been in place since 31 July.

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The employees, working for 15 sub-contractors, are pressing for the creation of a full-time convenor on the site to improve industrial relations and help address growing health and safety concerns along with poor welfare facilities on the construction site.

Unite warned of further stoppages unless there were 'serious' moves to address workers' concerns.

The union's Regional Secretary, Mick Whitley, said: "Sellafield is an important nuclear facility where health and safety and the welfare of workers should be paramount. Our experience shows that a full-time union convenor would help ensure a healthier, more productive and profitable workplace.

"Workers want to work in a safe environment with constructive industrial relations. The continued refusal by Sellafield Ltd and the sub-contractors to implement arrangements which are commonplace across the industry puts this reasonable expectation at risk."

(LM)