Further BAE strikes in pay dispute

The further strikes at Warton and Samlesbury are expected to last until 17 December, says Unite

BAE Systems workers have started a further three-week strike in a dispute over pay.

More than 100 union members at the defence giant's sites in Warton and Samlesbury in Lancashire have downed tools and about 500 more were also taking "action short of strike" such as overtime bans and no additional duties, Unite the union said.

It comes after the aerospace firm lost a High Court bid earlier this month to prevent employees from walking out at its Lancashire factories.

BAE Systems said its 3.6% pay offer was "fair" and ensured employees "will continue to receive market-leading pay and reward".

Unite members originally voted to strike after rejecting the pay offer.

They took industrial action on 5-25 November and further strike action is now taking place until 17 December, Unite said.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said "BAE's antics in court" had "further infuriated workers" who planned to "now bring BAE to its knees between now and Christmas".

A BAE Systems spokeswoman said: "We believe the company's offer, which includes enhancements to pay and pensions and has been accepted by all 18 of the other Unite bargaining groups in our UK business, is fair and ensures our employees will continue to receive market-leading pay and reward, while balancing our need to be competitive and affordable for our customers.

She added: "Our priority remains to protect our people, our business and deliver on our commitments to our customers."

BAE said after the High Court ruling it believed it had "good grounds for the legal challenge and will consider the courts judgment".

It had applied for an injunction preventing strike action from going ahead, which Judge Michael Soole refused to grant.