200 jobs to go at Dounreay
150-workers offered voluntary redundancy; 50-agency/contractors lose jobs.
Last updated 12th Apr 2017
Dounreay's nuclear facility is shedding 200-jobs as the demands of the decommissioning project change.
Voluntary redundancy packages are being offered to 150-staff members, although some of those workers could be redeployed into other roles.
There are also 50-agency and contract workers who will lose their jobs.
Unite regional officer Ian Ewing told MFR News: "We are very disappointed and concerned that the company have announced redundancies, when we believe there is enough work to sustain the resources presently employed.
"We will work with the company to minimise the numbers at risk and we will not entertain any compulsory redundancies."
CLICK HERE to read the letter sent from Dounreay managing director Phil Craig to members of the Dounreay Stakeholder Group.
FULL STATEMENT:
The clean-up of the nuclear estate is a key priority for both the Scottish and United Kingdom governments. Dounreay’s decommissioning is well established with the site due to reach an interim end state by the early 2030s.
An inevitable consequence of making progress is that jobs will gradually reduce. With a number of projects due to be completed and a different mix of skills required for the next phase of work, some staff are being given the opportunity to volunteer for redundancy. Around 10-15% of staff are expected to be allowed to leave under voluntary arrangements during the next year or so.
Safety, security and the environment remain our highest priorities and this will not be permitted to distract from, or impact on, those.
Workforce reductions have long been prepared for with more than £10 million invested by Dounreay and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in strategic socio-economic projects in the last decade and more to follow. This has helped leverage more than £35 million of additional funding, which is creating new and sustainable jobs in Caithness and North Sutherland.
The company will work with trade unions and other stakeholders to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and with respect throughout the process.