**Airbus Workers Vote Overwhelmingly for Strike Action Amid Ongoing Pay Dispute**
More than 3,000 skilled aircraft fitters and engineers employed at Airbus sites in Broughton, Flintshire, and Filton, near Bristol, have voted decisively in favour of strike action in an ongoing disagreement over pay. These employees, whose labour underpins the assembly of wings for key Airbus models like the A320 family, the A330, the A350, and the A400M military transport aircraft, are represented by the Unite union.
The ballot, conducted by Unite, saw a striking 95% of participating union members supporting industrial action, with an impressive turnout of 80%. This resolute stance comes in response to what the union describes as an inadequate pay offer from the aerospace manufacturer. The results indicate deep dissatisfaction within the workforce, signalling potential disruption to both civil and military aircraft production if the deadlock continues.
Though specific dates for industrial action have yet to be finalised, reports suggest strikes could begin as early as September should the situation remain unresolved. The prospect of a walkout at two key Airbus sites raises significant concerns not only for the company’s production timelines, but also for the wider supply chain that depends on these facilities to deliver crucial aeronautical components.
In response, Airbus stressed that although they have not yet received formal notification of any impending strike, the company contends its latest offer is both competitive and reflective of the strong financial rewards employees have seen in recent years. In a statement, Sue Partridge, Airbus UK’s country manager for commercial aircraft, emphasised: “We have made a competitive and fair pay offer in 2025, building on the strong foundation of pay increases totalling more than 20% over the last three years.” She reaffirmed Airbus’s willingness to continue discussions with the union to seek a mutually agreeable resolution.
From the union’s perspective, however, the latest pay proposal has failed to meet members’ expectations, especially in light of rising living costs and the vital role that these workers play in Airbus’s global success. Rhys McCarthy, Unite’s national officer for aerospace, made clear the considerable strength of feeling among the workforce: “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.”
Union representatives maintain that industrial action remains a last resort. They have reiterated their commitment to finding a compromise and urge Airbus management to re-engage in meaningful negotiations to avoid disruption.
For Airbus, the stakes are significant. The Broughton and Filton plants are essential to the company’s global supply chain, producing wings and other vital components that are shipped worldwide for final aircraft assembly. Any prolonged industrial dispute risks delaying deliveries, potentially affecting customers around the globe and impacting the wider aerospace sector.
This pay dispute comes at a time when many UK manufacturing sectors are under pressure, facing not only post-pandemic economic recovery challenges but also cost-of-living pressures that are shaping wage demands and industrial relations. The situation at Airbus is a prominent example of the wider unrest simmering in British industry as workers seek to keep pace with inflation and maintain their standard of living.
With both sides indicating an openness to further dialogue, observers will be watching closely to see if a negotiated settlement can be reached. If talks falter, the planned strike could become one of the most significant industrial actions within the UK’s aerospace sector in recent memory, with potential ripple effects far beyond the factory gates.