HUNDREDS of Unite members at Thales plants in Govan and Reading have voted overwhelmingly for strike action after rejecting a real-terms pay cut.

The sole supplier of periscopes and optronics masts to the Royal Navy, the company has enjoyed record orders with the Ministry of Defence and secured export deals worth £1.1 billion to secure its base in Govan.

Despite a ramping-up of defence spending across Europe that has seen Thales Group profits soar from £1.16bn in 2024 to £2.03bn in 2025, the company has offered workers at the plants — including electronics, software and systems engineers along with manufacturing and mechanical technicians — a sub-inflation settlement for the coming year.

Ahead of a final round of talks with Thales bosses in a bid to secure a resolution without strike action, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ”Thales is an extremely profitable company who could end this dispute at any moment. It can easily afford a fair pay increase for their skilled and valuable workforce who are the ones helping to make huge profits for the company. 

“Instead, Thales is putting greed above treating its workforce with decency.”  

Pointing to the £179.3 million in combined operating profits raked in by the group’s Thales UK arm in 2023 and 2024, Unite regional coordinator Elaine Dougall added: “Thales has been refusing to meaningfully negotiate in good faith. It will have one last chance before our members take to the picket line. 

“The ball is in Thales’ court. It can resolve this dispute by making an acceptable offer to our members. If it does not, then our members will take to the picket lines in the coming weeks.” 

The Thales Group was contacted for comment.