All industrial action at Leonardo, the prominent defence contractor, has come to an end after union leaders agreed to an 8% pay increase over two years. Over 3,000 workers participated in strikes throughout November in response to stalled pay negotiations.
Unite union members voted to accept the pay offer, marking a significant victory for the workforce. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham praised the outcome, stating, “There is power in a union, and workers at Leonardo should be proud of the pay increase they have secured. These workers stood firm against a company posting billions in profits. Their vital work in keeping the UK safe absolutely deserves this win.”
Rhys McCarthy, Unite’s national aerospace officer, described the agreement as a positive turning point for aerospace workers and a clear message to employers in the sector. “Unite members know their worth and are willing to take industrial action to achieve their objectives. Unite is the winning union for aerospace workers,” he affirmed.
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Leonardo plays a crucial role in Yeovil’s local economy, recently winning a £165 million government contract to maintain the Royal Navy’s helicopter fleet. This contract supports around 200 jobs in Yeovil and 800 nationwide.
Prior to this agreement, union members had rejected pay offers of 3.2% and 3.6%, both below the current 4.5% inflation rate, which Unite argued amounted to a real-terms pay cut.
Strike actions took place at Leonardo’s sites in Yeovil, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Basildon, and Luton on various dates in November, demonstrating the widespread commitment of workers to achieving fair pay.