AROUND 150 workers at a multibillion-pound aerospace firm Eaton are to stage a series of strikes over pay, Unite said today.

The company is paying some of the lowest rates in the country at its plant in Fareham, Hampshire, even though its parent firm Eaton Corporation made a £2.9 billion profit last year and paid its directors nearly £50 million, the union said.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a multibillion-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.” 

The fitters, technicians, supervisors and other staff have overwhelmingly voted in favour of strike action, having repeatedly sought a single-year pay offer that would bring their pay into line with industry averages.

The company has instead made a final multi-year offer of 4 per cent for 2024, 3.5 per cent next year and then 3 per cent for the third year. 

Unite regional officer Mark Fisher said: “Our members deserve a pay deal that reflects both their skills and in line with what other workers across the aerospace sector are earning.

“Eaton has refused to make a reasonable offer and will now witness the anger of its staff on the picket line.”

The workers will strike on October 16-19, 21-26 and 29 and November 1, 4-9 and 11-16. 

The Fareham site produces parts and products for the aerospace sector. 

A spokesman for Eaton Ltd said: "Based upon benchmarking with MAKE UK and other aerospace companies with similar manufacturing roles, we believe that Eaton’s pay proposals, base pay and total rewards are competitive in the local market.

"We remain committed to reaching an agreement that is focused on our employees’ best interests and gives them stability in the short and medium term.

"There are approximately 100 employees taking strike action. We recognize their rights to take industrial action and have contingency plans in place to maintain operations and customer service and we’re intent on resolving this as quickly as possible."