European OEM Airbus is facing the threat of strike action at two of its key UK production sites as workers are balloted over a pay offer.
Unite, which represents over three thousand Airbus aircraft fitters and engineers, began balloting members after Airbus failed to offer what they deemed as an acceptable pay deal for workers at Broughton, North Wales and Filton, near Bristol.
The ballot will run until the 24th July 2025 and if workers vote in favour of industrial action then strikes could begin in September.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Airbus has posted billions in profit and continues to report record aircraft orders. Workers are still struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and this unacceptable pay offer is simply not good enough. Airbus needs to get back round the negotiating table with an offer our members can accept.”
Airbus’ site at Broughton makes the wings for all Airbus A3XX airliners including the popular A320 and A350 which Airbus is trying to ramp up production of. As a result, any industrial action could lead to significant delays in wing production.
The Filton site is a key design campus and also produces wings for the A400M military transport aircraft used by many countries military including the UK’s Royal Air Force.
Airbus currently has a commercial airliner backlog of almost 9,000 aircraft and posted pre-tax profits of over £4.2 billion in the last financial year which Unite says should allow for a reasonable pay offer to be made to its workers.
Unite national officer Rhys McCarthy said: “There is no justification for denying the workforce — whose skills and dedication drive Airbus’ success — a pay rise that reflects both the cost-of-living pressures and inflation.
“Workers are balloting for industrial action as a last resort, due to stalled negotiations. Unite remains fully committed to resolving this dispute through negotiation and stands ready to return to talks with Airbus to secure an agreement which is acceptable to both sides.”
In response Sue Partridge, Airbus UK Country Manager Commercial Aircraft said: “We have made a competitive and fair pay offer in 2025. Our revised one year offer to our blue collar employees (3.3% with a further 0.3% in January 2026) is in addition to the £2,644 success bonus payment employees received in April. This builds on the strong foundations of pay increases that total 20% in the last three years.
“Our priority continues to be supporting our employees and ensuring the long-term success and stability of Airbus Commercial Aircraft in the UK. It remains business as usual across our operations”.
The period between the ballot and potential strike action will be used to negotiate a deal that would stave off any walkouts that could bring production to a halt.
