Union Members at Leonardo Balloted for Industrial Action over Pay Dispute

Strategic Insights -

Union members at aerospace and defence technology business Leonardo are being balloted for industrial action due to a disagreement over a pay offer. According to Unite, the union, the company's proposed 3.2% pay rise is a real-terms pay cut. The vote is set to run until early October, with potential consequences including workers taking to the picket line and factories shutting down. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has called on Leonardo to reconsider its offer and engage in further negotiations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Unite members at Leonardo are being balloted for industrial action over a disputed pay offer of 3.2%, which the union says is a real-terms pay cut.
  • The ballot is set to run until early October, with potential consequences including workers taking to the picket line and factories shutting down.
  • Unite has pointed to Leonardo's 2024 results, showing an 11% rise in revenues to €17.8bn and earnings of more than €1.5bn.
  • A spokesperson for Leonardo stated that the company has made a "fair and competitive offer" to its union members.
  • Unite has called on Leonardo to reconsider its offer and engage in further negotiations.

Statistics:

  • 3.2%: The proposed pay rise offered by Leonardo.
  • €17.8bn: Leonardo's 2024 revenues, an 11% rise from the previous year.
  • €1.5bn: Leonardo's 2024 earnings.
  • €18.6bn: Expected 2025 revenue for Leonardo.

Sources:

  • "Union members at aerospace defence technology business Leonardo are being balloted for industrial action, over what officials have called a poor pay offer." - [1]
  • "Staff at the Italian defence firm, which launched its eighth UK office in Newcastle in late 2023 adding to sites in the South West, South East and Scotland, are being balloted after the union rejected a reported pay offer of 3.2%, which officials say its a real terms pay cut." - [1]
  • "The vote runs until early October, and if successful will see workers head to the picket line and factories shutdown." - [1]
  • "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.'” - [1]
  • "Unite national officer for aerospace Rhys McCarthy added: 'Unite is making it clear that unless Leonardo quickly returns to the negotiating table with an improved offer, they will see the anger of their workforce on the picket line.'" - [1]
  • "A Leonardo spokesperson said: 'Leonardo recognises that its employees are the driving force behind the company's technological innovation and as such, has made a fair and competitive offer to its union members.'" - [1]