Workers at the Airbus factory in Filton in Bristol have begun balloting for industrial action in a dispute over pay.
The dispute stemmed from the company making what unions describe as an "inadequate" pay offer to the workers for 2021 following a pay freeze in the previous year.
It is claimed that Airbus has failed to increase its offer to a level that workers are able to support despite extensive negotiations.
READ MORE: CCTV appeal after cash and jewellery stolen in burglary
Airbus says it is keen to avoid "damaging" industrial action.
There has also been a ballot for strike action by staff at the Broughton factory in North Wales.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers at Airbus are committed to their jobs and their hard work and dedication is the reason for the company’s success. They fully deserve a fair pay increase.
“Unite is dedicated to prioritising the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and it will be giving its full support to our members at Airbus until this dispute is resolved.”
The dispute involves around 3,000 workers who are members of Unite, the largest union in the UK. The ballot opens today (Tuesday 25 January) and closes on Tuesday, February 15.
It understood that the majority of the 3,000 work at the Broughton site with Filton Airbus predominantly an engineering site. The dispute concerns production and production support staff.
If the workers vote in favour of industrial action then a strike could begin in March.
The union is hopeful that Airbus will return to the negotiating table to reach a mutually acceptable agreement despite Unite having already begun balloting for industrial action.
Unite national officer for aerospace Rhys McCarthy said: “At the height of the pandemic workers at Airbus accepted a pay freeze. As the sector returns to normality, coupled with high inflation and increased living costs, workers deserve a fair pay increase.
“Workers are balloting for industrial action as a last resort due to negotiations having stalled.
"Unite remains committed to resolving this dispute through negotiations and is fully prepared to hold further talks with Airbus to secure an agreement which is acceptable to both sides.”
A spokesperson for Airbus said: "Airbus is disappointed that Trade Union members have decided to hold a ballot for industrial action following the rejection of the latest pay offer
"The company made the offer in the context of an ongoing pandemic, which is the worst crisis our industry has ever faced and the wider benefits structure which employees receive.
"Airbus in the UK managed to successfully navigate the first waves of the pandemic without the need for any compulsory redundancies at a cost of more than £100M.
"The Members’ decision will have a detrimental impact on our ongoing recovery from the crisis.
"The Company is keen to avoid damaging industrial action so we can focus on building a resilient, competitive and collaborative place to work for years to come.
"We are in discussions with the Trade Union to help achieve this."
Want our best stories with fewer ads and alerts when the biggest news stories drop? Download our app on iPhone or Android
