Honeywell workforce set for strike action

Members of Unite, Scotland’s leading trade union, employed at aerospace company Honeywell, will begin strike action tomorrow (September 8) in a dispute over pay.

Around Unite 20 members including production and assembly workers recorded a 78.6 per cent vote in favour of strike action on a 77.8 per cent turnout at Honeywell.

The first day of strike action (September 8) will be followed every Thursday for the next twelve weeks.

The company, which specialises in the design and manufacturing of electronic hardware and systems, has proposed a multi-year deal of 2.75 per cent for this year and next year then followed by 0 per cent in 2024. This offer has been resoundingly rejected by the workers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “It’s shocking that Honeywell propose to inflict a massive real terms pay cut on its workers not only this year but for the next three. Our members at Honeywell have no option but to take strike action in order to get the pay rise their skilled work deserves during the worst cost of living crisis in a generation. Unite will always support our members fighting for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Ofgem has raised the energy price cap to £3,549 as broader inflation (RPI) has soared to hit a forty-year high of 12.3 per cent with warnings that headline inflation (CPI) could top 18 per cent by the start of next year.

Unite regional officer Carrie Binnie added, “The offer put on the table by Honeywell slashes the real terms value of our members’ pay over the next three years. High inflation is not leaving us any time soon with it expected to top 18 per cent early next year, yet Honeywell are offering its skilled technicians and operatives a figure nearly seven times lower than this. We will now take strike action every week up to the end of November until this company gives our members the pay rise they deserve.”

By Andrew Brady