Unite, the UK's leading trade union for defence and aerospace, is appalled at the latest obscene profits for military-industrial giant BAE Systems at a time when it refuses to pay its workers a fair wage and attempts union-busting high court injunctions to prevent strikes.

Today's financial results show BAE’s full year operating profits increased by 12 per cent to 3.32 billion. Meanwhile skilled workers at their Lancashire factories in Warton and Salmesbury are being forced to take industrial action due to a poor pay offer and assault on their terms and conditions.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "BAE needs to give its workers a fair piece of the pie. BAE’s profits are little short of obscene. The company is making billions from government contracts and yet refuses to pay our members what they are worth. This is completely unacceptable - without the skilled work of our members, the company doesn't make money."

Additionally, it’s most recent trading statement shows that BAE Systems shareholders received £1.5bn in dividends in 2025.

In 2025, workers had a pay deal of 3.6 per cent imposed against their will, which was below the rate of inflation, and represents a real terms pay cut.

Staff who work within the professional services areas of BAE Systems including aerospace engineers are furious that this is also below a pay offer made and accepted by BAE Systems shop floor colleagues, who received 4.5 per cent increase and an additional day of annual leave.

Unite regional officer Ross Quinn added: "Our members are furious at the lack of a decent offer; thousands of members crashed the company IT as they all tried to vote to reject the latest one as soon as the ballot opened. They will continue to demonstrate their anger on the picket line this month.

"BAE Systems continues to act in bad faith and with no real desire to resolve this dispute. Their actions mean workers' anger continues to grow. This won't end until BAE Systems come to their senses."

The current round of strike action at Warton began on 2 February. The dispute involves over 1,000 workers at BAE’s Lancashire sites.  

ENDS

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065.

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.