NUCLEAR staff at Scottish naval bases began strike action yesterday, accusing bosses of carrying out a “systematic campaign” to undermine their union and “victimise” shop stewards.

Civilian staff will ban overtime and on-call duties at the Coulport and Faslane naval bases, coinciding with a series of staggered periods of strike action.

Their union Unite said the action will cause “major disruption” to all areas of the bases, including the Nuclear Operations Department, and is likely to affect naval operations until mid-June.

Regional officer Stephen Deans accused employer Babcock Marine of “engineering a complete breakdown in normal relations with workers,” forcing members to take action.

Mr Deans said: “Our fear is that they want to try to undermine workers’ rights so they can cut jobs and service quality through more outsourcing.

“They want to squeeze as much money as they can out of being involved in the nation’s defence.”

Speaking on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Deans said Unite representatives had been “victimised and harassed by management” and accused Babcock of trying to “bypass” the union through withdrawing facilities for shop steward meetings and failing to meaningfully consult and negotiate with the trade union.

According to Unite, Babcock Marine is on record as saying that it is considering further outsourcing of services to private companies.

Cleaning and housekeeping services at both bases as well as security systems services at Coulport have already been outsourced.

The union represents a range of workers at the two bases, including cleaners, housekeepers, logistics operatives, drivers and mail staff, as well as members in radiation monitoring and strategic weapons support roles.

Babcock said in a statement it was “disappointed” by Unite’s actions.

A spokesman said: “We absolutely refute the allegations that we are attempting to undermine our relationship with the trade union and wider workforce or that we are engaged in a wide-ranging plan to outsource services.

“We remain committed to finding a positive resolution to this dispute and hope to have further discussions with Unite, facilitated by Acas in the next few days.”