Offers withdrawn and pay rates changed at last minute causes talks to fail. Hundreds to strike in Lancashire.
Highly skilled aerospace workers across Lancashire are taking renewed strike action against their employer, BAE Systems, after bad faith negotiations over pay and conditions saw offers altered at the last minute or withdrawn entirely.
Unite members had called off previous strikes to allow talks to take place as an act of good will but this has been thrown back in their faces by an employer seeking to play games and undermine negotiations.
Following the first wave of industrial action from 5 November until 28 January another 550 workers were balloted and returned an overwhelming majority chose to strike to make their anger heard. 
Escalating strike action will see over 1,000 Unite members at Warton and Samlesbury take part in widespread industrial action and over 200 design team members taking part in strikes that will cripple the factory production.
The new wave of strike action will begin on 2 February until at least 20 February.
Unite General secretary Sharon Graham said: "BAE Systems should be ashamed of itself. Instead of taking part in constructive talks it has insisted on game-playing tactics in a poor attempt at union-busting. Given this comes on the back of a failed high-court injunction, our members are having none of it.”
 
"They know that BAE Systems makes billions from government contracts and they would like their fair share.” 
In 2024 BAE Systems made over £3 billion in profits, up from £2.7 billion the year before. It pays its CEO over £11 million per year, so can easily afford to offer a pay award that takes into account the cost of living crisis. 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 said: "Unite went into these negotiations in good faith and even halted previous strikes. Yet BAE Systems continue to act in bad faith and with no real desire to resolve this dispute. Their actions mean workers' anger continues to grow and strikes will now resume with hundreds of workers while many more refuse to work overtime, train others or travel. This won't end until BAE Systems come to their senses."