WORKERS in Trawsfynydd nuclear power plant are at risk of having their rights undermined by central Government according to the local MP.

Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Liz Saville Roberts has called for workers in the nuclear decommissioning industry, including those at the Magnox plant in Trawsfynydd, to be made exempt from the government’s controversial Enterprise Bill, which was debated in Parliament last week (2 February).

The much-maligned Bill provides for regulations to restrict redundancy payments for public sector workers.

The proposed cap on redundancy payments will affect the terms and conditions of millions of employees, including those working in the nuclear decommissioning industry.

Staff at Trawsfynydd power plant - which shutdown in 1993 - have seen their numbers drastically reduced over recent years as the nuclear station undergoes its decommissioning programme.

A furious Liz Saville Roberts MP said: “The Tories say they want to put a stop to fat cat pay-offs, but this will hit many public sector workers in UK government jobs at the end of their careers.

“I’m particularly concerned about Trawsfynydd workers.

“This is a complete government U-turn to their employment terms and conditions.”

“Many employees entered the industry in the knowledge that its life span locally was limited and that the terms and conditions of the company’s policy on redundancy were favourable.

“By extending the proposed cap to Magnox employees, the Government is undermining the certainty the initial agreement was intended to deliver.”

The member of Parliament has concerns that the new legislation would have a negative effect on the region and its ability to keep its highly trained staff in the area.

“This will have serious implications on the company’s ability to retain the specialist skills required for the nuclear decommissioning industry,” she continued.

“Nuclear decommissioning is both essential and highly specialist.

“Yet this bill is going to undermine workforce confidence and human resources planning at Magnox, Trawsfynydd.

“The unique skill set of the workforce at Magnox should be safeguarded from the effects of this bill.”

Magnox declined to comment.