LONDON (Reuters) -Thousands of Airbus workers in Britain will go on strike for 10 days starting next month over a demand for better pay, threatening to disrupt production of aircraft wings, trade union Unite said on Wednesday.
Unite, which represents more than 3,000 aircraft fitters and engineers at Airbus, said 90% of members voting in a ballot had chosen industrial action, which will go ahead unless the European planemaker presented an improved pay offer.
Unite said the strikes, planned for September 2-3, 10-11 and other dates yet to be determined, from September 15, could disrupt wing production for Airbus’s commercial and military aircraft programmes and delay deliveries.
However, Airbus said: “We are not currently concerned about the impact on year end deliveries.”
The planemaker also said it had made a “competitive and fair” pay offer in 2025 following previous pay increases totalling more than 20% in the last three years, in addition to a 2,644 pounds ($3,569) bonus payment in April.
“Our priority remains to find a resolution together with the trade union that ensures the long-term competitiveness and success of Airbus in the UK,” Sue Partridge, Airbus UK’s country manager for commercial aircraft, said in an emailed statement.
Unite said it had asked Airbus for a pay offer that reflects rising inflation and cost of living. Data published earlier on Wednesday showed British inflation had reached 3.8% in July – its highest in 18 months.
“Airbus is generating billions in profit; workers deserve a fair deal,” Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, said. “Our members are simply seeking fairness not favours.”
($1 = 0.7409 pounds)
(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Catarina Demony)
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