The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

 

Mike Graham is the National Secretary of Prospect, the trade union that represents many of the professional staff working in the energy sector. He outlines the benefits of a healthy nuclear industry.

These are exciting and interesting times for the nuclear industry. As individuals and organisations involved in the industry, we strongly believe in the value of strong, safe civil nuclear generation. 

However, there are many who are still sceptical and unconvinced and the need to talk with, and listen to, those in nuclear communities is essential.

I observe that the industry is good at communicating with itself but a little more of the evangelical approach, or just good, straightforward two-way communication, would not go amiss.

There are good examples of community engagement: the Magnox and Sellafield Site Stakeholder Groups; Horizon with their local community mass household leafleting and also public exhibitions; and the cross-organisation lobby groups from the Energy Coast, Energy Island and the more recent formative group in Gloucestershire.

This engagement focuses on the positive. We have nothing to hide and we should not be hesitant in promoting all that is good about nuclear.

For example, in Gloucestershire my union, Prospect, has initiated a group, with the support of the NDA, to promote the present and future benefits for Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and the wider travel-to-work area. We have focused on the positive long-term economic legacy of nuclear, whether this be investment, small business growth or the value of the nuclear £pound. 

All the key, and varied, nuclear employers in the area have supported this initiative, along with local authorities and colleges. Nuclear has many advantages and we should not be backward at promoting these in going public with our powerful arguments.

From a Prospect point of view we, as a non-political affiliated union, have made it clear we will work on a cross-political party basis. 

New nuclear build will provide highly skilled, relatively well-paid, stable jobs for many years with the operators and the supply chain. We also have the benefit of manufacturing and construction jobs, opportunities for small businesses and other entrepreneurial activities.

The history of nuclear in the UK is one of good employers, safe operations and good industrial relations.

Decommissioning, operations and the nuclear cycle provide growth opportunities for the UK on a global basis; it also will help drive economic growth and stability at a local level.

It is our duty to promote the benefits through engagement with local communities and stakeholders.