Dounreay head ‘confident’ there will be no repeat of industrial action
Dounreay bosses are confident the recent industrial action will not have added to the time or cost of decommissioning the site.
They also believe they can avert further strike action and work-to-rule by reaching an early settlement on the current year's claim.
Acting NRS managing director John Grierson was quizzed on the impact of the action at the latest quarterly meeting of Dounreay Stakeholder Group on Tuesday evening.
Long-time Dounreay contractor Alan Scott, asked: "Will it mean it will take longer to decommission the site and cost more?"
Mr Grierson revealed that about 95 per cent of the decommissioning and hazard-reduction programme was affected by the dispute in May and June.
But he did not believe it would have any lasting effect on the length or cost of the clean-up.
Dounreay on ‘special measures’ over wide-ranging safety concerns
Mr Grierson predicted any negative impact would be more than offset by efficiency gains which he said would flow from a new management regime.
The action was called off on July 5 after Prospect, Unite and the GMB union members accepted a revised deal to enable a managed return to normal working on July 8.
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He said that during the industrial action, safety-critical work continued as normal under an agreement with the unions.
Former Highland councillor Gillian Coghill, who chairs DSG's site restoration sub group, asked: "What is the risk that this (industrial action) will happen again as you are now going through the current year's pay claim?"
Mr Grierson replied: "I'm confident we will be able to get a negotiated position this year. We're in negotiations with the unions now."
DSG chairman Struan Mackie said the return of still waters at Dounreay is long overdue.
He pointed out that over the last couple of years the workforce has seen the demise of the Babcock-led consortium, the advent of NRS, the resignation of a managing director, the appointment of a new executive team and the first strike for many years.
Mr Mackie said: "I'm hoping and praying that we now get a period of prolonged stability.
"Outside the fence, the public perception of Dounreay has been a lot more up and down than it has ever has been.
"That is because the site has been in the news for negative reasons.
"Industrial action is very taxing on everybody and hopefully now the site can get back on an even keel and progress with decommissionlng."
Earlier, DSG members heard that efforts continue to find a permanent managing director.
Mr Grierson, a former director of Hunterston and Chapelcross nuclear sites, revealed he had not applied.
Dounreay has also been urged to follow the example of plans being developed to turn the former nuclear reactor site at Chapelcross into a green energy hub.
Scottish finance minister Ivan McKee unveiled the proposal earlier this week during a visit to the plant, near Annan.
The multimillion-pound scheme would create a hydrogen production and storage facility together with manufacturing, energy and enterprise campuses.
According to long-time north anti-nuclear campaigner Tor Justad, a similar future could be rolled out for the former fast reactor complex in Caithness.
Speaking at the DSG meeting he said: "The new masterplan for Chapelcross might be of interest to see if it is something that could work at Dounreay."
Mr Justad represents Highlands Against Nuclear Power on the community liaison group.
Mr Mackie said he is aware of the plans.
"They are quite interesting and it is something we should consider, he said.
"It's very positive and welcome that the Nuclear Development Authority has been so closely involved."
Mr Mackie is meanwhile keen that the UK and Scottish governments offer workers in the nuclear industry the same support and incentives to move into the renewables sector as are offered to oil and gas workers.
"Just transition should apply equally to the nuclear industry," said Mr Mackie.