A LARGE early morning police presence was needed at Hinkley Point C as tempers flared while hundreds of workers were locked out of the site during unofficial industrial action.

The dispute arose after claims a dangerous crane lift on the nuclear power station construction site has put workers at risk.

MEH Alliance workers, who are delivering Hinkley C’s mechanical, electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installations, staged protest sit-downs in canteens.

The site’s management then withdrew access rights for the workers ‘to avoid any further disruption, limit impacts to other HPC team members, and allow time for discussions’.

The workers were told they would not be allowed back on site until Monday (June 8) and would not be paid during their absence.

MEH Alliance workers also had concerns about clocking in arrangements and proposed changes to their shift patterns which they had voted against.

Police said they attended a site entrance early on Wednesday morning (June 3) to avoid any breach of the peace occurring.

A Hinkley C spokesperson said the disputed crane lift has been investigated and there had not been any risk to workers.

The spokesperson said trade unions had ‘well established’ procedures for resolving workers’ concerns and talks were being held to encourage them to return to work.

They said: “Other construction workers are continuing to work as normal across the site.”

Union officials said any unfair wage deductions would be challenged.