FIREFIGHTERS at Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in Cumbria are to strike again over pay.

The firefighters, involved in a long-running dispute with management, will stage two 12-hour walkouts on Thursday this week and Monday January 22.

They staged their first-ever strike in July, followed by strikes in October.

GMB senior organiser Chris Jukes said that a new pay proposal from management “falls short of expectations and views expressed in negotiations.”

He said that three independent, professional reviews of the firefighters’ pay had recommended increases.

“It seems that there needs to be a resolve to settle this dispute and make a further improved offer,” Mr Jukes said.

“The two sides are not miles apart, but it seems that there needs to be further local negotiations to reach a settled position.

“This is ultimately in the gift of Sellafield Ltd.”

The union said it is willing to negotiate for as long as it takes to resolve the dispute, even in the short term.

Mr Jukes reiterated that firefighters do not want to strike and that this dispute is the first time they have been involved in strike action.

“That shows in itself the depth of feeling and despair,” he said.

“We hope we can still reach a negotiated position with Sellafield, even at this late stage.”

A Sellafield spokesman said: “The safety and security of the Sellafield site are our priorities during any industrial action.

“As always, we will work with other agencies to try to minimise disruption for the public.

“Full emergency safety cover will be in place during this strike. This will be provided by Securitas, which supplied cover during the previous firefighters’ strike.”