Improved two-year deal backed by workers at Coulport and Faslane 

Unite the union confirmed today (24 July) that the threat of strike action taking place at the Coulport and Faslane naval bases on the Clyde has been lifted due to a two-year pay deal being overwhelmingly backed by the workforce.

600 Unite members employed by Babcock Marine (Clyde) Ltd, who undertake specialist services for the UK’s nuclear deterrent submarines, will now receive a 7.5 per cent basic pay rise backdated to August last year. 

In year two of the deal, a £1,350 consolidated payment will be applied for a period of 12 months until the end of July 2025. This equates to an average increase of 3.95 per cent along with a commitment by Babcock Marine to work on delivering a four-day working week based on 36 hours.  

There is also an increase of 15.8 per cent being applied to specific shift allowances across the two-year deal which will further boost take home pay.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s membership at the Coulport and Faslane naval bases fully deserve credit for their resolve and standing firm until a better wage increase was secured.”

“The two-year pay deal will deliver better jobs, pay and conditions, and it has the overwhelmingly support of our 600-strong membership at Babcock Marine on the Clyde.”

Unite’s membership had overwhelmingly voted in support of taking strike action following the rejection of a previous pay offer by Babcock Marine. The offer amounted to a seven per cent rise in 2023, and three per cent to be applied from August this year.

James O’Connell, Unite industrial officer, added: “Unite has successfully negotiated an improved wage deal for our Babcock Marine membership.  The deal across both years represents an above inflation increase, and this was only possible due to the determination of our members.”

“We are currently working with Babcock Marine to deliver a four-day week which will also significantly improve the working environment for our members at the naval bases.” 

Babcock Marine was awarded a contract in March 2021 by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide services for the nuclear weapon system at Coulport, as well as the Strategic Weapon Support Building (SWSB) Faslane.  

The Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) is estimated to be worth around £3.5bn and will run until March 2026. The programme includes UK naval base operations at HMNB Clyde and HMNB Devonport.


ENDS

Notes to editor

For media enquiries please contact Andrew Brady on 07810157922.

Email andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org

Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Derek Thomson.