“Fantastic Result”

Engineers at Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge are celebrating this week, after accepting an improved pay offer, and calling off potential strike action.

The highly skilled engineers maintain C-130 Hercules aircraft and manufacture auxiliary fuel tanks for the Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, making a vital contribution to allied defence capability.

In July around 250 Unite members at the company, based at Cambridge Airport, were balloted for strike action after overwhelmingly rejecting the company’s 4.5 per cent pay offer. Since 2020, their pay has fallen by around 16 per cent in real terms when measured against RPI inflation.

Following the strike vote and further negotiations, the company improved its position, ultimately resulting in the 5.75 per cent increase on base pay and allowances now overwhelmingly accepted by the workers.

Unite regional officer Neil Moore said: “This is a fantastic result for our members and one they should be proud of. It demonstrates the power of collective bargaining when it is backed by an organised, united and determined membership.

“Every member who voted, supported the campaign and was prepared to stand together contributed to this result. Their collective strength delivered this deal.”

At the time of the ballot there were concerns that any strike action would have significant implications for support provided to allied military aircraft programmes, including the maintenance of C-130 Hercules aircraft.

By Keith Hatch