BAE Systems workers escalate strike action

Workers at BAE Systems’ Lancashire plants are extending their strike action over pay until at least Christmas Eve with union bosses attacking the company’s “Scrooge-like behaviour”.

The Unite union says around 160 staff who work in safety critical roles will stage further walkouts that “will severely affect” the company’s Warton and Samlesbury sites.

The union has been staging a series of strikes following the rejection of a 3.6 per cent pay offer, which it says “represents a real-terms pay cut” for professional services workers, including engineers.

Unite says the staff involved are also “furious” that it is below a pay offer made and accepted by shop floor workers, who it says received 4.5 per cent and an additional day of annual leave.

BAE Systems says it believes the offer is fair and it includes enhancements to pay and pensions.

Staff began a strike on November 26 that was due to last until December 17. In a statement announcing the latest planned walkout that will continue until December 24 at least, Unite said: “Other staff will be taking action short of strikes including a refusal to travel, refusal of overtime and a refusal to take on additional work.”

Unite regional officer Ross Quinn said: “This Scrooge-like behaviour from BAE is a disgrace. Its skilled and experienced workers have helped the company make huge profits but they are now expecting them to take a real-terms pay cut.

“This is simply unacceptable and our members will effectively shut down the two sites in the run-up to Christmas.”

BAE Systems says its production lines remain operational and it expects that will continue.

The company says its offer includes enhancements to pay and pensions and has been accepted by all 18 of the other Unite bargaining groups in its UK business.

It adds that it ensures employees will continue to receive “market-leading pay and reward”, while balancing the company’s need to be competitive and affordable for customers. 

A spokesperson said: “Our priority remains to protect our people, our business and deliver on our commitments to our customers.”