The UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy, has reported that nearly 200 workers employed by SPS Technologies in Leicester, UK, are set to take strike action later in August over a pay dispute.

All-out indefinite strike action at SPS Technologies’ Barkby Road site will begin on August 21, with the strikes likely to impact supplies for Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Avio Aero, Leonardo, GKN and BAE.

The shopfloor workers, who produce specialist nuts, bolts, pins, screws and collars for the aerospace and defence industries, have rejected a two-year pay rise of 7% plus a £400 one-off payment.

Unite says that the workers, some of whom are on the minimum wage, are demanding a significant pay increase.

SPS Technologies is part of Precision Castparts Corp (PCC), which had revenues of $9.3 billion in 2023. PPC is owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway, which has cash reserves of $277 billion.

Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, said: “Low-paid SPS workers have suffered years of below-inflation pay rises and they have had enough. SPS is part of an unimaginably wealthy corporate empire and can absolutely afford to put forward a fair pay rise.

“Unite SPS members have their union’s total support in taking strike action.”

Lee Purslow, Unite‘s regional officer, said: “SPS’ clients will not be happy that their supply chains are facing disruption because the company is refusing to pay its workers properly.

“Industrial action could still be avoided, but SPS must put forward an offer that is acceptable to our members.”