Airbus UK Workers Announces 10-Day Strike Over Pay Dispute

LONDON- European Aerospace Giant, Airbus, employees in the United Kingdom (UK) will begin strike action next month after talks over pay failed. The action will primarily affect sites in Broughton (CEG) and Filton (BRS), where thousands of skilled staff are based.

Unite union members, including aircraft fitters and engineers, voted in favour of industrial action. The strike is expected to disrupt operations connected to the production of wings for Airbus aircraft, a critical component of its global supply chain.

Photo: Airbus

Airbus UK Workers Strike

More than 3,000 Airbus employees were involved in the union ballot. These workers are essential to building wings for several Airbus programs, including the A320 family, A330, A350, and the A400M military transport aircraft.

The first confirmed strike will take place on September 2 and 3, with additional two-day actions scheduled for September 10–11 and beginning again on September 16. The decision follows a strong majority vote among Unite members who rejected the company’s pay proposals.

Unite national officer for aerospace, Rhys McCarthy, stated the result highlights the workforce’s frustration with the company’s current offer. He urged Airbus to return to negotiations with a revised package to avoid further disruption.

Photo: Malaysia Airlines

Background of the Pay Dispute

The pay dispute began with Airbus proposing a two-year deal: a 3.6% rise in the first year, followed by 3.15% in the second, alongside pension enhancements. While management and office-based staff accepted the deal, production line workers did not.

Union members asked for a one-year package instead. Airbus then offered a 3.3% increase for 2025, with an additional 0.3% added in January 2026. A further proposal included the choice between the earlier deals plus a one-off, non-consolidated £200 payment.

Despite these adjustments, employees remained dissatisfied. Unite argued the offers did not meet expectations in light of inflation and the highly skilled nature of the workforce.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Airbus Response

Airbus UK Country Manager for Commercial Aircraft, Sue Partridge, defended the company’s position. She highlighted that workers had already received over 20% in pay rises across the last three years, plus a £2,644 bonus in April 2025.

She emphasized that Airbus remains committed to resolving the dispute collaboratively with the union. The company has also stated that it does not anticipate any major disruption to year-end aircraft deliveries, despite the strike schedule.

Wider Impact on Airbus Operations

The Broughton and Filton sites play a pivotal role in Airbus’s global aircraft assembly network.

Broughton is responsible for wing production, while Filton handles design, testing, and engineering functions. Any slowdown at these facilities could affect the supply chain for multiple aircraft families.

While Airbus has downplayed immediate concerns, prolonged strikes could pressure production schedules, particularly given the high demand for A320neo aircraft and ongoing backlogs. Analysts note that resolution is critical for maintaining competitiveness in the UK aerospace sector.

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