Workers at Leonardo, a major defense firm, have confirmed plans for strike action set to commence on November 12. Approximately 3,000 employees at the company’s Yeovil facility, the sole helicopter factory in the UK, voted to strike after rejecting a recent pay offer from management.
The Unite union, representing the workers, has urged Leonardo to present a revised pay proposal, citing the current cost-of-living crisis as a significant concern. A spokesperson for Leonardo expressed disappointment regarding the union’s decision but indicated a willingness to resume negotiations in hopes of reaching an agreement.
Union representatives noted that the employees were dissatisfied with the initial pay increase offer of 3.2%, followed by a subsequent offer of 3.6%. They argued that both proposals fell short of the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rate of 4.5%, effectively resulting in a pay cut in real terms for the workforce.
Leonardo, headquartered in Italy, produces a range of defense industry products, including helicopters, aerospace components, and cybersecurity technology. The company operates several sites in the UK, including facilities in Luton, Basildon, Edinburgh, and Newcastle.
A spokesperson from Leonardo indicated that strike action seemed unavoidable across all UK operations, emphasizing the company’s efforts to minimize disruptions to both business and customers. Strikes are scheduled for all Leonardo sites on November 12 and 13, with additional walkouts anticipated later in the month, particularly at the Edinburgh and Basildon locations. Yeovil employees specifically are set to strike from November 25 to 28.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgk5899rg5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss