Approximately 150 skilled aerospace workers in Fareham, UK, are escalating their strike action after claiming their employer, Eaton Ltd, a supplier of aviation parts including interconnects, has continued to fail to make a pay offer that would bring them in line with industry averages.
Members of the Unite workers union at the company voted overwhelmingly for strike action at the factory. Fitters, technicians, supervisors and other staff are planning to strike on the following dates: 16-19 October, 21-26 October, 29 October–1 November, 4-9 November, 11-16 November.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said of the action: “This is a multi-billion pound company making huge profits off the backs of our members, which could easily make a fair pay offer. Our members just want a fair wage, comparable with others across the sector. They are highly skilled and valuable workers, yet they are being denied decent pay.”
According to Unite, workers at the facility have repeatedly sought a single-year pay offer that would bring their pay in line with industry averages. Instead, says Unite, their employer has continually tried to tie workers to a multi-year deal with a final offer of a 4% pay rise for this year, 3.5% next year, and 3% for the third year. The top skilled rate at the Fareham plant is £32,500 whereas the average UK wages now sits at £35,700. Unite says that Eaton’s pay rates are some of the lowest in the UK’s aerospace sector.
Eaton Ltd’s parent company, Eaton Corporation, made €3.5billion in profit in 2023 and paid its directors nearly €60million. Workers have already taken part in strike action in August and September this year.
Unite regional officer Mark Fisher added: “This is a dispute of Eaton’s own making, and it is their mess to clean up. They are refusing to negotiate and have left our members with no option but to take further strike action.
“Our members deserve a pay deal that reflects both their skills and in line with what other workers across the aerospace sector are earning. Eaton has refused to make a reasonable offer and will now witness the anger of its staff on the picket line.”
