Union warns Telford defence workers could strike over pay after 'derisory' offer

A union has warned that workers at a Telford defence manufacturer could strike in a dispute over pay.

Unite said workers employed by Babcock Defence Support Group (DSG) on the British army engineering and maintenance contract are considering strike action, following a pay offer it dubbed “derisory”.

In a statement the union said the workers are based at a large number of sites across the UK including Ashchurch, Bovington, Catterick, Donnington in Telford and Warminster.

It said around 1,400 workers on the contract had rejected a pay increase “which is worth on average 2.20 per cent per worker”.

A statement from the union said: “This is a substantial real-terms pay cut as the RPI inflation rate is 4.1 per cent and is set to rise further.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Babcock has been caught red handed trying to fob our members off with a derisory pay offer. In reality this is a large real-terms pay cut.

“This is a very wealthy company which can fully afford to pay its workers a decent pay increase but is choosing not to out of sheer greed.”

The Babcock workers are employed in engineering and maintenance roles primarily keeping the British Army transport fleet, including Challenger tanks, operational and battle ready.

In addition, for being responsible for the army’s transport the workers also undertake maintenance of weaponry and can be deployed overseas on various projects.

The union said that having rejected Babcock’s pay offer the workers are now considering balloting for industrial action if the company does not return to the negotiating table with an improved offer.

Babcock was approached for comment and a spokesperson for the company said: “Having entered into the early stages of pay negotiations with Unite, Babcock remains committed to constructive dialogue, aiming to reach an outcome that supports our people and the effective delivery of our customer’s contract.”