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Manufacturing

Airbus workers to stage strikes amid pay dispute

Unite members at the aerospace giant's º£½ÇÊÓÆµ sites in Filton and Broughton are set to walk out in the coming weeks

Airbus factory in Broughton(Image: DAVID POWELL/NORTH WALES LIVE)

Airbus employees in the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ will start industrial action at the start of September. Unite union members based at Broughton in North Wales and Filton near Bristol will down tools in a pay-related dispute.

Over 3,000 aircraft fitters and engineers participated in the Unite union ballot. These highly specialised workers perform essential functions in manufacturing wings for the tremendously popular A320 series, A330, A350 and A400M military transport aircraft.

The workforce backed strike action in last month's ballot. A source has now verified that this will start with a 48-hour stoppage on September 2/3.

Rhys McCarthy, Unite's national aerospace officer said: "This overwhelming vote in favour of strike action shows the depth of anger that our members have over the poor pay offer from Airbus.

"It is not too late to avoid industrial action if they get back around the negotiating table with a new offer that is acceptable to our members. Otherwise they will see that anger first-hand on the picket line."

Additional 48-hour stoppages are planned - with the subsequent walkout scheduled for September 10/11, followed by further action beginning on the 16th, reports .

The initial proposal comprised a two-year agreement offering 3.6% followed by 3.15% plus pension improvements. Management (white-collar) staff accepted this arrangement, whilst non-management (blue-collar) employees rejected it.

Workers demanded a revised settlement spanning just 12 months.