More than 1,000 BAE Systems employees based at factories at Warton and Samlesbury have accepted a 6% pay rise following ongoing strike action.
The Lancashire-based workers, who are members of trade union Unite, work within the professional services areas of BAE Systems, with many being aerospace engineers and holding safety critical roles.
Staff have been awarded a 4.8% pay increase backdated to 1 January and a further 0.75% from 1 October. All employees will receive an additional day of annual leave, while members of Unite will receive a one-off further day’s leave. They will also receive a one-off payment of £500 and 30-minute earlier finish time each day.
Employees were balloted and voted for strike action in October last year, because they felt they had not received a fair pay award and that their colleagues in other parts of the business had been awarded one. They felt their offer of 3.6% was too low, compared to the 4.5% rise their shop floor colleagues received and the £3 billion the employer made in profit during 2024.
According to the union, BAE System attempted to block strike action in the High Court. Despite this, strike action took place intermittently from 5 November until 28 January, while further action began on 2 February and was scheduled to continue to at least 20 February.
A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with this trade union group. As the UK’s sovereign provider of combat air capability, our people continue to play a crucial role in supporting the UK Armed Forces and its allies.”
Sharon Graham, general sectary at Unite, added: “It has taken a courageous stance from our workers on a picket line to win this award. They should be congratulated for standing together and winning a pay rise they truly deserve.”
