Workers responsible for maintenance and cleaning at two Airbus sites in the UK have called off their planned strike after receiving an improved pay proposal. Unite, one of the UK’s largest trade unions, made the announcement on September 4, 2024.
Over 140 workers from Airbus locations in Broughton, Wales and Filton, Bristol had planned to strike on September 6, 7, 9, and 10, 2024, citing low wages.
This decision came after CBRE, the company providing facility management services to Airbus in the UK, reported profits of £36 million (€42 million). The workers argued that they were being paid the minimum wage, with only slight increases made to meet legal requirements.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham criticized CBRE’s practices in a statement released on September 2, 2024.
“CBRE makes huge profits but thinks it is okay to pay its workers poverty wages,” Graham said. “This is pure corporate greed. CBRE can more than afford to put forward a fair pay offer.”
CBRE’s services at these sites include mechanical and electrical engineering, building maintenance, cleaning, waste management, transportation, mailroom services, and ground maintenance. The planned strike was expected to disrupt cleaning and maintenance operations, potentially impacting Airbus’ manufacturing processes.
However, following an improved pay offer from CBRE, Unite has decided to suspend the strike to allow for a ballot among its members on the new proposal, according to Jono Davies, Unite Regional Officer.