Workers at Leonardo, a major defence and aerospace company with a key site in Yeovil, Somerset, have rejected the firm’s latest pay offer, prompting ongoing strike action, the union Unite announced today (Tuesday, November 11). More than 3,000 Leonardo employees across the UK are set to strike intermittently throughout November in protest over pay.
Union members had previously turned down a 3.2% pay rise and have now also rejected a revised offer of 3.6%. Both proposals fall short of the current inflation rate, which stands at 4.5%, meaning employees would effectively face a real-terms pay cut.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham criticized the company, stating: “Leonardo workers are highly skilled and contribute to critical defence and aerospace projects, yet they are being short-changed by a company generating billions in profit. Instead of making a fair offer, Leonardo continues penny-pinching. Our members have the full support of Unite in their fight for decent pay.”
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Unite national officer for aerospace Rhys McCarthy added: “Leonardo will now confront the frustration of its workforce on the picket line outside its factories. This dispute is entirely the company’s creation. The company must return to the negotiating table with a reasonable offer our members can accept.”
Strike action is scheduled at the Yeovil site from November 12-13 and again from November 25-28. Workers at Leonardo’s facilities in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Basildon, and Luton will also join the strikes this month. Unite has warned that if the company fails to improve its offer, further industrial action is likely.
Despite the pay dispute, Leonardo remains a vital part of Yeovil’s local economy. The company recently secured a £165 million government contract to maintain Royal Navy helicopters, supporting around 200 jobs in Yeovil and 800 nationwide. In 2024, Leonardo reported revenues of nearly €18 billion and profits exceeding €1.5 billion.
In response to the strike, a Leonardo spokesperson said in October: “We are disappointed by the decision to take industrial action but are working to minimize disruption for our customers. The company has made a very fair and competitive offer, representing a potential 9.2% pay increase over two years through a combination of fixed and variable pay. We remain available for constructive discussions with the union to resolve the situation.”