WORKERS at the Clyde naval base's nuclear and armaments sites are to stage a two hour strike next week as part of a "prolonged campaign of industrial action" in a pay dispute row

WORKERS at the Clyde naval base's nuclear and armaments sites are to stage a two hour strike next week as part of a "prolonged campaign of industrial action" in a pay dispute row

Confirmation of the action came after mass meetings with workers after unions warned industrial action would have significant implications for the running of the base.

Up to 800 of Unite members at the Faslane nuclear submarine base and Coulport armaments depot had voted to reject a 1% pay deal offered by engineering firm Babcock.

Its members will walk out at 10am on February 19.

There will also be a number of "staged stoppages" from February 20.

The union has also notified Babcock of continuous industrial action involving a work to rule, call-out ban and a ban on all non-contractual overtime commencing at 00:01 hours on Wednesday.

It will be the first time industrial-side strike at the bases for 42 years.

The union said the action was being taken as attempts to reach a resolution have been frustrated by Babcock Marine's Clyde general manager, Peter Merriman, who they say refused to meet under the auspices of ACAS.

Unite national officer Ian Waddell said: "A prolonged period of industrial action will severely disrupt day-to-day operations at the Faslane and Coulport base, but the workers will strive to ensure the safety of the workforce, the naval base and the local communities will not be compromised."