Workers at Eaton Ltd manufacturing to walk out over pay
Approximately 150 highly skilled aerospace workers in Fareham, Hants, are to take strike action after their employer, Eaton Ltd, failed to make a pay offer that would bring them in line with industry averages.
Unite members at the company voted overwhelmingly for strike action at the factory which produces essential parts and products for the aerospace sector. Fitters, technicians, supervisors and other staff will strike on the following date: 29-30 August; 16, 20, 27, 30 September
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“This is a multi-billion pound company making huge profits off the backs of our members, which could easily make a fair pay offer.
"Our members just want a fair wage comparable with others across the sector they are highly skilled and valuable workers yet they are being denied decent pay."
Workers have repeatedly sought a single year pay offer that would bring their pay into line with industry averages. Instead, their employer has continually tried to tie workers to a multi-year deal with a final offer of four per cent pay rise for this year, 3.5 per cent next year and then three per cent for the third year.
The top skilled rate at the Fareham plant is just £32,500 whereas the average UK wages now sits at £35,700. Within the aerospace sector Eaton’s rates are some of the lowest in the country.
Eaton Ltd’s parent company, Eaton Corporation, made €3.5billion in profit in 2023 and paid its directors nearly €60million.
Unite regional officer Mark Fisher added:
“This is a dispute of Eaton’s own making and it is their mess to clean up.
“Our members want a pay deal that reflects both their skills and what other workers across the aerospace sector are earning. Eaton has refused this reasonable request leaving our members little choice but to head to the picket line.”