Staff at helicopter manufacturer vote to strike

The AW149 is one of the helicopters manufactured by Leonardo staff

Unite union staff members at defence firm Leonardo have voted "overwhelmingly" in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay.

The Italian-owned company, which runs the UK's only helicopter factory in Yeovil in Somerset, had offered a two-year rise 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, with the union's regional officer Carrie Binnie adding: "This strike is entirely the making of Leonardo. It can fix it with the stroke of a pen."

The company, which has sites across the UK, says it it continuing to engage with Unite to find a "constructive" path.

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

However the union said the walkout will happen at some point 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 shut down."

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 potential industrial action this year.

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

Earlier this month Collins Aerospace agreed a 10% pay increase over 28 months, again avoiding a walkout.