Strike action at Leonardo’s Luton factory is back on after workers voted to reject the company’s latest pay offer, a week after suspending earlier plans to walk out.
The dispute had appeared to ease last week when Unite members paused industrial action at the Capability Green site following what was described as an improved proposal from the aerospace and defence giant. But that optimism was short-lived, with the union confirming that staff had rejected the new deal.
As a result, strikes are now set to take place on 12 and 13 November, in line with walkouts at Leonardo’s other UK sites in Yeovil, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Basildon.
Unite says workers are frustrated that Leonardo’s offers — originally 3.2 per cent and later 3.6 per cent — remain below the RPI rate of inflation, currently at 4.5 per cent, meaning a real-terms pay cut amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Leonardo workers are highly skilled and work on critical defence and aerospace systems yet are being short-changed by a company making billions. Leonardo continues to try and penny-pinch rather than make a sensible offer workers can accept. Our members have the full support of Unite in their fight for decent pay.”
Unite national officer for aerospace Rhys McCarthy added: “Leonardo will now see the anger of its workers on the picket line outside its factories. But this is a dispute entirely of its own making. The company needs to come back to the negotiating table with a proper offer our members can accept.”
Leonardo, whose Luton operation designs and builds radar and sensor systems for military aircraft, posted revenues of nearly €18 billion and profits of more than €1.5 billion last year.
The company has said it is “disappointed” by the decision to strike and remains open to further talks, but Unite has warned that industrial action could escalate if no new offer is made.
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