Members of the Unite union at Eaton Ltd have gone on strike after voting overwhelming for the action recently . A picket line formed outside the factory in Abbey Park this morning. Highly skilled workers – including fitters, technicians, supervisors and other staff - are also scheduled to walk out tomorrow (August 30) and on September 16, 20, 27 and 30.
Eaton Ltd produces parts and products for the aerospace sector. NOW READ: Workers at aerospace firm to strike Sign up for free emails from The News on our newsletter page here Unite said workers have repeatedly sought a single year pay offer which would bring their pay into line with industry averages, but they claimed Eaton Ltd has tried to tie workers to a multi-year deal. This would involve four per cent pay rise for this year, 3.
5 per cent next year and then three per cent for the third year. The union said the top skilled rate at the plant is £32,500, with the UK average wage now sitting at £35,700. Unite said Eaton’s pay rates are some of the lowest in the country.
The Aerospace company responded and said it believed its pay offer was fair – with hopes of securing an agreement with staff. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham previously 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 den.