UK workers threaten to bring Airbus’s global jet production to a halt

Members of the Unite union, who comprise the bulk of production workers at the Broughton plant in North Wales, voted to strike for 10 days - Paul Cooper

A planned walkout by 3,000 Airbus workers in the UK threatens to bring the company’s global aircraft production to a standstill.

Members of the Unite union, who comprise the bulk of production workers at the Broughton plant in North Wales, voted to strike for 10 days next month in a confrontation over pay.

The factory supplies wings to Airbus assembly lines in France, Germany, the US and China, with the strike potentially holding up jet deliveries.

A source at Unite said that while it is hopeful of reaching an agreement, the strike aims to disrupt production at a time when Airbus is seeking to accelerate production rates as it works through a record order backlog.

The walkout also threatens to undermine the French giant’s push to consolidate its position as the world’s largest planemaker.

Rival Boeing suffered a seven-week strike by 33,000 machinists last year as it struggled to recover from quality control issues with its 737 Max plane.

Airbus said it was “not currently concerned” about the impact of the UK action on its goal of delivering at least 820 planes to airlines this year.

Unite said that fitters at Broughton, together with a few hundred members at Filton, near Bristol, who make wings for the A400M military transport, will walk out over a three-week period beginning on Sept 2 after a motion to strike won 90pc backing.Wings for A400 military planes are manufactured by Airbus at Filton - AFP

The union refused to give details of the settlement it was seeking, saying it would not negotiate in public, but that a deal must account for inflation and cost of living increases while reflecting the “specialised skills of members”.

Sharon Graham, the Unite general secretary, said: “Airbus is generating billions in profit. Our members are simply seeking fairness, not favours.”

Rejected offers

The Toulouse-based manufacturer said Unite turned down an offer of a 3.6pc raise for this year, followed by 3.15pc in 2026, that had been accepted by 3,000 office workers, and instead sought a one-year deal.

Airbus then offered to pay 3.3pc immediately, to be followed by a further 0.3pc in January, which was also rejected, as was a further £200 top-up proposed earlier this month.

Sue Partridge, the firm’s UK manager for commercial aircraft, said the offers came on top of 20pc in raises together with bonuses of more than £13,000 over the past three years, including £2,644 paid out in April.

She said: “Our priority remains to find a resolution together with the trade union that ensures the long-term competitiveness and success of Airbus in the UK.”

Airbus declined to say how many plane wings it has in reserve, with the situation complicated by the fact that the Broughton site,, has just finished its annual two-week summer shutdown.

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Jet deliveries at the firm are traditionally slow in August as a result of the mandatory holidays, before accelerating significantly in September.

Management has set a goal of achieving 75 deliveries per month of the flagship A320 model by 2027 – equivalent to 900 a year or 50pc more than it handed over in 2024.

Unite said it was ready to negotiate to end the pay dispute, but that it wouldn’t “be short-changed”.

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