Strikes hit major aerospace manufacturer at factories across the UK
More than 3,000 workers are set to walk out this autumn in a major pay dispute
More than 3,000 workers at Leonardo, one of the world’s largest aerospace and defence companies, are set to walk out this autumn in a major pay dispute.
The industrial action, organised by the Unite union, follows the company’s refusal to improve a 3.2 per cent pay offer, which workers say amounts to a real-terms pay cut amid rising living costs.
The strikes will affect Leonardo’s key UK sites in Edinburgh, Yeovil, Basildon, Newcastle and Luton, which manufacture critical defence and aerospace systems for the UK and international markets.
Unite has confirmed that strikes will take place at Yeovil, Luton and Basildon on 5–6 and 12–13 November, and at Edinburgh and Newcastle on 5–6 and 10–18 November. Production at these facilities is expected to be significantly disrupted.
Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, said the dispute was the result of the company’s refusal to make a fair pay offer despite strong financial results. “Our members are highly skilled and work on critical defence and aerospace systems yet are being short-changed by a company making billions,” she said.
“Leonardo has had ample opportunity to do the right thing and make a decent offer that our members could have accepted. Instead they have refused and will now see the anger of our members on the picket line outside their factories. This is a dispute entirely of their making.”
Unite’s national officer for aerospace, Rhys McCarthy, added that the company’s profits made the offer unacceptable. “Leonardo make literally billions in profits but are trying to short-change our members whose skills and expertise they rely on,” he said. “They will be making their voices heard next month when taking strike action that will see Leonardo’s factories grind to a halt. They need to come back to the negotiating table with an improved offer.”