BAE Systems engineers in strike action ballot

Thousands of aerospace engineers at BAE Systems in Lancashire could take strike action this autumn in a row over pay.

More than 5,000 members of the Unite union based at Warton and Samlesbury are in dispute and specific groups will be balloted after rejecting the latest pay offer from the company.

If the professional staff vote to strike, union leaders say targeted action would take place which it warns would see a number of defence programmes “grind to a halt on the factory floor”.

Unite says the engineers were offered a 3.6 per cent deal, which is below the rate of inflation. It adds that the offer represents a pay cut in real terms and says that its members are “furious”. 

Unite also says it is below a pay offer made and accepted by BAE Systems’ shop floor workers, who received 4.5 per cent and an additional day of annual leave.

In a statement, BAE Systems said it believed its offer, which included enhancements to pay and pensions, was “not only fair and reasonable but it ensures our colleagues continue to receive market-leading pay and reward, while balancing our need to be competitive and affordable for our customers”.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “BAE Systems is one of the world's biggest defence manufacturers and made billions in profit last year. It pays its CEO vast sums and yet sees fit to try and short change our members for the sake of shareholders.

“This is completely unacceptable and Unite will be backing the thousands of aerospace engineers in their dispute until BAE Systems comes to its senses.”

The strike ballot will open on October 1 and close on October 22. If workers vote for industrial action strikes could begin later this autumn. Unite says it will look to ballot specific groups of workers. 

Unite regional officer Ross Quinn said: “This dispute is entirely the making of BAE Systems.

“It needs to come back to the negotiating table with an offer our members can accept otherwise, they will see that anger through targeted action that could impact every contract.”