STRIKE action due to take place at the Somerset branch of aerospace manufacturer Leonardo has been suspended following a new pay offer.
Unite members at factories across Yeovil, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Basildon, and Luton were due to walk out in a row over pay on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, after a below-inflation pay offer infuriated staff.
Nearly 3,000 members of the Unite union demanded that the company make an improved pay offer. They voted overwhelmingly for strike action following this.
But Leonardo has said they have had "constructive discussions" about pay with Unite members this week.
A Leonardo spokesperson said: “Earlier this week, representatives from Leonardo and Unite the Union held constructive discussions to try and resolve the current situation.
“We are hopeful that the very fair and competitive offer that has been made will be accepted, bringing this matter to a close and allowing for implementation in December.”
READ MORE: Strikes loom at Somerset firm as workers vote to walk out over pay
After last-minute talks, Unite has agreed to suspend strike action to allow for a ballot of members to take place on the new offer.
Strike action is still scheduled to take place later this month, only if the new offer is rejected by members.
Unite national officer Rhys McCarthy said: “As an act of good faith, Unite has suspended [November 5] strike action to allow a ballot of our members to take place.
“The threat of action has brought Leonardo back to the table with a new and improved offer, and we will now consult our members.”
If the offer is rejected, then strike action will take place on November 12-13 (Yeovil, Luton and Basildon) and November 10-18 (Edinburgh and Newcastle).
Previously, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Our members are highly skilled and work on critical defence and aerospace systems, yet are being short-changed by a company making billions.
"Leonardo needs to do the right thing. Otherwise, they will see their workers on the picket line and their factories shut down."
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