STRIKE action by private contractors who maintain the weapons systems on board the UK's Trident nuclear submarines is set to begin next week.

The Unite trade union has been involved for several weeks in a row over pay with the ABL Alliance, which employs the civilian workers at the Coulport armaments depot on Loch Long.

As previously reported by the Advertiser an overtime ban has been in place among Unite members employed by the ABL Alliance's three companies - AWE, Babcock Marine, and Lockheed Martin - at Coulport since mid-November.

Unite members working for the three firms at Coulport will take part in 24-hour strike action on Thursday, December 16 and Monday, December 20 unless a deal is reached.

Further days of strike action are planned for January 11 and 25, and February 8 and 22.

Around 70 specialist workers are believed to be involved in the industrial action.

Unite announced last month that 90.5 per cent of its members at Coulport had voted in favour of strike action in a ballot, and 93.5 per cent had backed industrial action short of a strike.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “For months now these extremely profitable companies have dragged their feet over giving our members the fair pay award they deserve.

"Unite’s priority is to fight for the jobs, pay and conditions of our members, and these highly skilled workers at Coulport and Faslane naval bases have the union’s full support in this dispute.”

Stevie Deans, Unite regional coordinator, added: “The ABL Alliance employers have completely disrespected, undervalued and underappreciated our members.

"Unite has continually sought to resolve this pay dispute but the ABL Alliance at every stage of the process have seem determined to force an escalation.

"Our members have been left with no choice but to take strike action in addition to the overtime ban, and we are determined to get the pay rise these workers deserve.”

Unite says the ABL Alliance has refused to agree to the union's request for a 3.8 per cent pay rise for its members.

AWE workers are involved mainly in the maintenance side of the weapon system operation, while Lockheed Martin staff are responsible for specialist engineering and quality control.

Babcock workers provide jetty services at Coulport.

A spokesperson for AWE, commenting on behalf of the ABL Alliance, said: "At this time, the ABL Alliance (AWE plc, Babcock Marine (Clyde) Ltd, and Lockheed Martin UK Strategic Systems Ltd) has been unable to reach a resolution with Unite Scotland in relation to the ongoing pay dispute.

"We continue to keep dialogue open with the union and measures to mitigate strike action are being taken.

"We are working closely with the Ministry of Defence to support continued safe operations at RNAD Coulport."

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson added: "The Government is aware of the ongoing pay negotiations between the ABL Alliance and the Unite trade union; we are hopeful that a resolution will be reached by all parties.

"The continued safe operation of HM Naval Base Clyde is of paramount importance and the safe management of the port will not be compromised."