Leonardo staff in Unite union vote to go on strike

Leonardo's AW149 is the sole competitor for the government's New Medium Helicopter contract

Staff at the defence firm Leonardo who are members of the Unite union have voted "overwhelmingly" in favour of strike action across its main UK sites, in a dispute over pay.

The Italian-owned company, which has the UK's only helicopter factory in Yeovil, Somerset, had offered a two-year deal of 3.2%, describing it as fair with the potential through variable pay packages to increase to about 9.2%.

But Unite says the offer is actually a real-terms pay cut in light of inflation and the on going economic crisis. The union's regional officer, Carrie Binnie, said: "This strike is entirely the making of Leonardo. It can fix it with the stroke of a pen."

The BBC has approached Leonardo for a response.

The ballot saw all sites support strike action but, in an unusual move, Unite has not immediately announced a date for a walkout but has instead asked for a return to negotiations.

However, Unite says the walkout will happen this autumn if an improved offer is not made.

The Proteus autonomous aircraft is currently under development at Leonardo's Yeovil site

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: "Our members are highly skilled and work on critical defence and aerospace systems yet are being short-changed by a company making billions.

"Leonardo needs to do the right thing, return to the negotiating table and make an improved offer our members can accept.

"Otherwise, they will see their workers on the picket line and their factories shutdown."

Leonardo has nine main sites across the UK in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Lincoln, Luton, London, Basildon, Southampton, Bristol and Yeovil.

It is not the only firm in the aerospace sector to face a staff walkout.

Last month, Airbus averted strike action by coming up with a new pay deal including enhancements to Unite members' pensions.

While Colins Aerospace has agreed a 10% pay increase over 28 months, again avoiding a walkout.