Contractors and unions agree Sizewell C working deal

Aaron Morby 1 year ago
Share

A dozen contractors and unions Unite and GMB have signed labour agreements with EDF for the construction of Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk.

Contractors and unions sign historic working agreement for Sizewell C
Contractors and unions sign historic working agreement for Sizewell C

The site-wide deal described as ‘best in class’ by all signatories sets pay and conditions for the project, which will cover up to 8,000 workers at peak construction.

Details have still to emerge, but the new deal is said to offer better sick pay and parental leave terms than agreed in 2013 for the Hinkley Point C site.

The three Solidarity Agreements set out how Sizewell C will promote a strong safety culture while providing workers with  high standards of health, safety and welfare services, including mental health services.

The deal comes as hopes grow that the Government can achieve a final investment decision before a likely election in the Autumn.

Firms that have signed include:

Civil Works Agreement


Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering, Laing O’Rourke Delivery, Bouygues TravauxPublics

Mechanical, Electrical and Heating Agreement


Altrad Services, Altrad Employment Services, Altrad Motherwell Bridge; Cavendish Nuclear, Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick; NG Bailey; Altrad Babcock; Bilfinger Piping  Technologies

Site Operations Agreement


G4S Secure Solutions

The agreement aims to raise the bar on standards of accommodation and promote a diverse and inclusive working environment.

Sizewell C’s joint managing director, Nigel Cann, said: “Sizewell C is one of the most important energy projects in the UK and we want it to be one of the best places to work.

“These balanced agreements will help build a spirit of partnership by giving everyone on the project common goals and clear working arrangements. They put us in an even stronger position as we gain momentum and prepare for site earthworks to start.”

Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB National Officer, said: “These agreements represent some of the most progressive within the construction sector.”

Jerry Swain, Unite National Officer, said: “This agreement builds on the previous success at Hinkley Point C. It clearly sets out the standards for the future which other employers in this field should seek to achieve.”

Around 600 people are currently working at the Sizewell C construction site, and the workforce is expected to increase to around 1,500 by the end of 2024.

Recent activity has focused on clearing the site for full construction, carrying out archaeological surveys, and local mitigation work.

Preliminary earthworks to prepare for the construction of a concrete batching plant and water desalination facility are due to begin in the coming weeks.

 

Latest news

Four jailed after Keltbray corruption trial

Jail sentences following probe into jobs including Battersea Power Station
7 hours ago

Leeds United unveil stadium revamp design

Club has still to set a timeframe for staged Elland Road upgrade
4 hours ago

Bowmer & Kirkland boosts margins as profits surge to £69m

Revenue nudges up towards £1.3bn in year of expansion
20 hours ago

Offshore construction starts on £4bn windfarm

Foundations for first of 95 turbines installed: Watch video
20 hours ago

AECOM buys civils consultant Allen Gordon

Global giant acquires Scottish water and energy specialist
19 hours ago

Plans in for £1bn Northern Gateway site in Manchester

Plan for 500-acre manufacturing and logistic park advance
19 hours ago

RED wins £31m London Shoreditch student digs job

Two extra floors will be added to Willen House scheme
20 hours ago

Deconstruct handed £12m Grenfell demolition

Firm maintaining building awarded job without bid race to speed process
20 hours ago

Sizewell site workers get made to measure PPE

Bespoke fitting service on offer at new Bryson branch
20 hours ago

Comment: Gateway is acting like a barricade

Contractors left banging their heads on an (unbuilt) brick wall
4 days ago

Final phase of £1.5bn Elephant and Castle revamp hits planning

Get Living submits revised plan for 500 homes and 450-bed student block
5 days ago

Ealing backs final phase of £1.3bn estate rebuild

Friary Park estate rebuild in Acton reaches end stage
4 days ago

Green light for scaled-down Nottingham student tower

Glasshouse Street scheme will deliver 247 student rooms
4 days ago

Aston Villa to revamp North Stand

Club to reuse existing structure rather than complete rebuild
5 days ago

Mace signs ex-ISG director to lead Euro health and tech push

Gary Sweeney to head up healthcare and life sciences consultancy arm
4 days ago

Sir Robert McAlpine claws way back into profit

Firm says return to profit and strong cash balance validates new strategy
5 days ago

Severfield to cut staff by 6% amid pricing pressure

Steelwork contractor warns of extended tighter pricing due to project delays
5 days ago

JRL completes sale of 50% stake to Malaysian giant IJM

Deal boosts balance sheet and kicks starts growth plan
5 days ago

Green light for £100m Liverpool Baltic station build

Enabling highway works to start in the autumn
6 days ago

First live tests for flying construction robots

Drones can lay construction materials at height on site
5 days ago

Three firms land £170m Gentoo Sunderland housing deal

PHS Solutions, Esh and RE:GEN to deliver 10-year home upgrade plan
6 days ago

Gateway gridlock hits build-to-rent delivery as starts nosedive

Build to rent starts plunge 18% in the capital
6 days ago

Call to shift Gateway 2 checks to end building bottleneck

"The current system isn't working but we all want to see safe buildings"
6 days ago

GBN launches £600m bid race for SMR engineer roles

Owner engineers to provide technical and assurance services
6 days ago

Wates hires ex-Homes England chief to head public sector push

Robert Stone to spearhead its public sector and national frameworks strategy
6 days ago

Acheson Construction collapse costs suppliers £8.5m

One frustrated creditor seized a telehandler after contractor went into administration
7 days ago

Dominus wins go-ahead for 173-bed Glasgow scheme

Old Wynd Street job expected to cost around £25m to build
6 days ago

Safety Regulator misses deadline to clear Gateway 2 backlog

Investors pulling out of funding high rise buildings
7 days ago

CITB still sitting on £95m cash pile

Staff numbers jump from 666 to 763 as training body wage bill soars
7 days ago

£500m road surfacing framework market call

NEPO goes out to consultation on north east regional highways deal
7 days ago

Contractor services