Walkout at missile depot in Scotland 'could threaten munitions supply to Ukraine'

British missile supplies to Ukrainian forces fighting Russia's invasion could be affected by a walkout in Scotland, a union has warned.

More than 50 workers at the Defence Equipment and Support (DES) depot in Beith, North Ayrshire, are taking industrial action on Monday in a dispute over retention bonuses.

It supplies Storm Shadow and Brimstone missiles to Ukraine.

The GMB union said the strike was the first in the history of the DES and warned supplies of the "crucial missiles" manufactured there "will soon run low".

DES is an arm's length body of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that delivers equipment and support services to the UK armed forces.

GMB said workers are angry over a "two-tier workforce" that sees managers and craft workers receive bonuses while non-craft workers do not.

The MoD said "pre-planned contingency measures" have been put in place and it remained open to finding a resolution.

The union said 93% of GMB members at the depot voted for strike action.

Read more:
Glasgow bar staff strike is 'the first in Scotland in more than 20 years'
Lighthouse workers take 'historic and first in a generation' strike action over pay

Chris Kennedy, GMB Scotland organiser, said: "These workers are utterly vital to the UK armed forces - they deserve to be recognised as such.

"Instead, management have allowed a two-tier workforce to develop, fostering bitterness and anger among workers.

"Today's strike is the first in the history of the DES - it cannot be allowed to carry on.

"If the defence secretary does not step in to right this wrong, supplies of the crucial missiles manufactured at Beith will soon run low."

Western countries have been supplying Ukraine with military aid since the start of Russia's invasion in February 2022.

The UK government provided £2.3bn worth of military aid in 2022 and has committed to match this in 2023, having already supplied more than 10,000 anti-tank missiles, 100,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, more than 100 anti-aircraft guns, self-propelled artillery, and trained more than 15,000 Ukrainian recruits.

An MoD spokesperson said: "Pre-planned contingency measures are being implemented at Defence Munitions (DM) Beith to ensure the continued operation of the site.

"We remain open to dialogue with GMB to discuss the issues raised and work towards resolving them."