Ryan FowlerWorkers at British Engines in Newcastle and South Shields are set to strike later this month due to dissatisfaction with the company’s latest pay offer. Approximately 170 employees from BEL Engineering, Rotary Power, and Michell Bearings will participate in the strike action organised by Unite, the UK’s leading union.
Unite has reported that workers are unhappy with the proposed 3% pay increase, especially in light of the real rate of inflation (RPI) remaining above 4%. The union highlighted that due to consecutive years of below-inflation pay deals, employees’ real wage buying power has diminished by 18% since 2019.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham expressed strong support for the workers: “British Engines’ workers are sick and tired of seeing their pay go down year after year while the company makes millions in profits. British Engines can afford to put forward a fair deal and our members are absolutely right to strike for one. They have Unite’s total support in taking industrial action for a reasonable pay rise.”
The planned strike, from Thursday 23 May to Wednesday 30 May, is expected to affect supply chains across several key industries, including aerospace and defence. Companies such as BAE Systems and Rolls Royce may experience disruptions.
Anna Lavery, Unite regional officer, commented on the potential for further action: “British Engines’ clients will not be pleased that their supply chains are being disrupted because of the company’s greed. There is still time to avoid strike action but that will require British Engines’ leadership to put forward three acceptable offers.”
