Leonardo's Edinburgh defence factory facing strike threat over pay

Leonardo’s Edinburgh defence factory is facing strike threats over a pay dispute with workers.

Employees at the defence and aerospace manufacturer voted to walk out later this autumn if the company fails to make an improved offer.

The company, which has sites in Edinburgh, Yeovil, Newcastle, Luton, and Basildon, previously offered a 3.2% pay increase.

Unite the Union said workers at all four sites rejected the offer, and instead returned ballots “overwhelmingly” in favour of taking strike action.

The union is now demanding that Leonardo return to the negotiating table and make an improved pay offer, or face strike action.

“Our members are highly skilled and work on critical defence and aerospace systems, yet are being short-changed by a company making billions,” Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said.

“Leonardo needs to do the right thing, return to the negotiating table and make an improved offer our members can accept. Otherwise, they will see their workers on the picket line and their factories shut down.”

Leonardo manufactures defence industry equipment, including helicopters, aircraft, aerospace parts, electronics and cybersecurity.

Unite said it is one of the largest defence companies in the world, reporting nearly 18bn euros worth of revenues last year.

“This strike is entirely the making of Leonardo and its refusal to improve its pay offer, and it can fix it with the stroke of a pen,” Unite regional officer Carrie Binnie said.

“Unite remains ready to return to negotiations but only if Leonardo management are prepared to come up with an offer worth listening to. Our members will not accept a real-terms pay cut for their hard work and loyalty.”

Balloting closed this week, and all four sites voted for strike action.

If Leonardo does not negotiate, then Unite said it will serve notice for strike action to begin later this autumn.

Leonardo has been contacted for comment.