Portsmouth shipbuilders vote for strike

Four hundred GMB shipyard workers in Portsmouth have voted to take strike action over working conditions and proposals forcing them to work in other parts of the UK.

They are employed by BVT, a consortium of BAE systems and shipbuilders Vosper Thornycroft, formed to build two new aircraft carriers. However, while part of these vessels will be built in Portsmouth, BVT are trying to force workers to move to other parts of the UK, including Scotland and Cumbria for up to three months at a time, while they are being built.

In the recent ballot, 82% of GMB members voted for strike action. GMB organiser Bob Stokes said: "Unless we get a settlement we'd be starting with a total stoppage of work for a period, for one day probably. If we stop work we'll picket all the gates. An overtime ban and work-to-rule arrangements would follow, but there are no dates fixed for action yet".

Portsmouth Socialist Party