SOME 600 nuclear submarine workers begin balloting for strike action tomorrow after 99 per cent rejected a lower-than-inflation pay offer.

Members of the Unite union at the Coulport and Faslane naval bases on the Clyde have rejected Babcock Marine’s two-year proposal of a 7 per cent rise, backdated to August 2023, and a 3 per cent rise for the next pay round, effective in August this year.

Unite said this represented a substantial pay cut as the retail price index rate of inflation stood at 9.1 per cent when the increase was due in August last year. 

The ballot runs for two weeks, closing on June 11.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Babcock Marine is a wealthy company that can easily afford to make a decent offer to its workers.

“Pay offers which in real terms amount to sizeable pay cuts just won’t cut it.” 

A Babcock spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that we have been unable to reach an agreement at this stage, however, we remain committed to ongoing engagement with Unite representatives to find a mutually acceptable resolution.”