WORKERS at a Ministry of Defence site in Flintshire are currently on strike over pay.

Unite Union members working for Defence Equipment & Support (Deca) at Sealand voted to strike over an imposed two per cent pay award for 2022.

A series of 24 hour strikes commenced on Tuesday (October 3). Unite said workers at Deca have endured over a decade of "stagnant wages and extremely low pay increases". Pay restraint has seen wages fall "significantly" in real terms, the union said. The strike will continue for three days for next week. 

Deca, is wholly owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The workforce is highly skilled and provide a vital role in maintaining military, avionic and electronic equipment.

Deca is an operating centre dedicated to maintenance, repair, overhaul, upgrade, procurement and managed services provision across Defence electronics, components and general equipment support.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Deca workers have endured years of real terms pay cuts and have now reached breaking point. These highly skilled workers undertake vital work and must receive a fair pay increase.

“Imposing a two per cent pay increase is a disgrace. Unite always prioritises its members' jobs, pay and conditions and the Deca workers will receive the union’s one hundred per cent support."

MORE NEWS: 

In contrast to some other branches of the Civil Service, Unite said DECA lacks any form of pay progression, resulting in a consistent decrease in real terms income for workers year after year.

Unite regional officer Jono Davies said: “Our members at Deca are determined to make a stand. They play a crucial role in providing specialised and invaluable support to our armed forces and defence services.

"The failure of management to engage in meaningful negotiations to rectify pay erosion has driven away highly experienced personnel. The only solution to this is to stop the rot and provide workers with a decent pay rise."

An MoD spokesperson said: “Business continuity measures will ensure operations continue safely and securely.

“We firmly believe the 2023 pay offer is a generous and affordable way of improving members’ pay.”