Aerospace workers in both the US and the UK have been striking for wage rises and to resist attacks, while companies reap massive profits, reports Jamal Elaheebocus

Around 150 workers at the Fareham plant of aerospace company Eaton are escalating strike action as their fight for a pay rise continues. Workers are set to strike on 4-9 and 11-16 November, following eleven strike days in October and four in September.

Workers are demanding a pay rise that brings them up to the industry average, arguing that Eaton’s pay is among the worst in the aerospace industry. These highly skilled workers are currently earning a maximum of £32,500 per year, while the average salary in the UK is £35,700.

Instead of meeting these demands, the company has offered just 4% this year, 3.5% for next year and 3% the year after. This is while its parent firm, Eaton Corporation, made a huge €3.5 billion in profit in 2023 and paid directors nearly €60 million.

The Fareham factory makes systems and equipment for commercial and military aircraft and fitters, technicians, supervisors and other staff have been involved in the strike so far. The Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said the following: ‘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 denied decent pay.’

This comes amidst increasing strikes in the aviation and aerospace industries. United Auto Workers are currently on strike at the Eaton plant in Jackson, Michigan, where they are demanding help with higher healthcare costs and an end to company attacks on pensions and their plans to create a new lower tier of workers.

The strike there is entering its eighth week, and the company bosses have recently revealed that they plan to replace striking workers permanently. Meanwhile, Boeing workers have voted to accept a 38% pay offer to end a strike which has been going on for seven weeks and has had a huge impact on the company which is already struggling amidst a safety crisis.

A four-week strike at Textron Aviation ended with workers getting an immediate 11% pay rise and a 31% wage increase over the next five years. They also secured a $3,000 lump-sum payment each year of the five-year contract, an increase in cost-of-living payments and caps on increases to annual health-insurance premiums.

Eaton Aerospace workers at Fareham will be hoping for similar wins and anyone in the area should get to the picket lines to offer their solidarity as the strikers escalate their action.