UNIONS are claiming victory after Urenco agreed to implement an agreement they had resisted.

Unite and GMB had staged a two-week campaign, including protests outside the plant in Capenhurst, in a bid to persuade Urenco and its contractor Jacobs to reverse a decision not to implement the National Agreement for the Engineering and Construction Industry (NAECI).

They had argued Urenco’s refusal to sign up had exposed workers to attacks on terms and conditions.

But last week the firm relented and agreed to sign up in full.

Hundreds of workers had demonstrated at the site in defence of the long-standing agreement.

Urenco were accused of attempting to renege on bonus payments and disputing resolution procedures, which are part of the national agreement.

The removal of the bonus payment would have meant the workers losing about £100 a week.

Unite regional officer Steve Benson said: “Unite has won a significant victory at Capenhurst. The commitment of Unite members and union representatives was fantastic.

“By standing together, construction workers stopped Jacobs and Urenco from watering down the national agreement, which gives this vital industry the stability which it needs.

“Unite is going to continue to fight to defend the national agreement wherever employers attempt to undermine it.”

Urenco is building a manufacturing plant at Capenhurst which will take the by-product after enriching uranium and convert it back into an ore that can be used in the process again.