Workers who design and build airplane wings for the European aerospace giant Airbus are set to stage 10 days of strike action next month in a bitter dispute over pay that could further delay new aircraft deliveries to airlines around the world.
The workers are employed by Airbus at two sites in the UK where wings for aircraft such as the A320 single-aisle airplane and long-haul A350 are designed, tested, and built.
The Unite union represents around 3,000 aircraft fitters and engineers who voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike action after rejecting a pay offer that they claim doesn’t reflect the cost-of-living crisis facing people in the UK.
“Airbus is generating billions in profit; workers deserve a fair deal. Our members are simply seeking fairness, not favours,” commented the union’s highly influential leader, Sharon Graham.
“Airbus workers have the total support of their union in this dispute,” Graham continued.
Airbus operates two main facilities in the United Kingdom. At Filton in the South West of England, the company employs 2,700 people who develop and test wings, fuel systems, and landing gears for various aircraft models.
Meanwhile, a second location in Broughton, North Wales, is home to two giant factories that manufacture wings for nearly all Airbus models, accounting for half of the world’s passenger planes.
Airbus has factories dotted across Europe where various parts of its commercial airplanes are manufactured before they are transported to Toulouse, France, for final assembly.
In recent years, the manufacturer has faced significant issues in delivering new aircraft to airline customers on time, although last month, Airbus said that it had now ramped up production in line with its plans.
Delivery delays were mainly due to engine supply issues for its A320 range of aircraft, and Airbus is now battling to clear a massive backlog. Any work stoppage could, therefore, cause serious issues.
The Unite union has announced a total of 10 days of strike action in September, although this won’t all take place at once. Workers are set to hold two initial days of strike action on September 2 and 3, followed by a further two days on September 10 and 11.
If a deal still hasn’t been struck by this point, further strike action will take place from September 15 onwards.
