EMPLOYEES at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) have been balloted by trade union representatives on potential strike action over “insulting” changes to their pension plan.

The company, which makes the UK’s nuclear deterrent at its sites in Aldermaston and Burghfield, and is one of the biggest employers in Basingstoke and Deane, has formally consulted with staff on closing its defined benefit pension scheme to all staff and to replace it with a defined contribution alternative.

A consultation period ended on July 25, with discussions continuing with trade unions since then.

However, trade union Prospect believes the proposals leave “no choice” but to take industrial action.

Prospect negotiator Richard Tabbner said “The company’s proposal is actually worse than the scheme that staff can currently choose to join. This is frankly insulting.

“Members are particularly angry because the guarantees that were given at the time AWE was effectively privatised have been reneged on and the significant sacrifices they have made over recent years to keep the defined benefit scheme have been ignored.”

AWE employees previously were on a defined benefit pension scheme, which is a pension plan where an employer promises a specified monthly benefit on retirement, based on an employee’s earnings, length of service and age.

Mr Tabbner said because of the nature of job, it is a matter of national security and the secretary of state needs to take action.

A spokesperson for AWE said: “The Prospect and Unite trade unions have formally notified AWE of their intention to ballot members on industrial action over pensions.

“Safety and security remain AWE’s top priorities and the company has procedures in place to ensure that the safety of its operations are maintained at all times.”