Hinkley Point C tunnelling crews cancelled a planned strike this week after they were promised more than \u00a32m in repayment of taxes deducted from their wages.<\/p>\n
Members of the GMB and Unite trade unions working at TG Tunnelling accepted a pay offer from the company, meaning plans for a walkout from the Somerset nuclear project on Monday (7 April) were withdrawn.<\/p>\n
GMB organiser Tim Northover said: \u201cGMB members have accepted an offer which means they will not be out of pocket. As a result, the strike has been cancelled.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully we will now have time to resolve the wider issues around the dispute in good faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
But he warned: \u201cWe retain the strike mandate and won\u2019t hesitate to set further dates for industrial action if necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
TG Tunnelling has been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Hinkley Point C client EDF admitted this week that it had brought in specialists to tackle a rat infestation at the sprawling scheme.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the project said: \u201cAs is common across all large construction sites there will be occasions when the presence of vermin is noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cA specialist company has carried out a survey and measures are in place to address the issue. We are committed to working alongside our trades union partners to provide the best environment for all of our workers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sources told CN<\/em> that workers had complained about the rat problem.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re all over. You see them just sat there, looking at you,\u201d one person told The<\/em> Guardian<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is worse near the canteens, where I guess it started. But they are everywhere now.\u201d<\/p>\n Contractors Bouygues and Laing O\u2019Rourke were last year served warning notices<\/a> by the nuclear regulator over fire-safety failures at Hinkley Point C.<\/p>\n