STRIKES carried out by skilled military, avionic and electronic equipment maintenance workers in Flintshire have ended after Unite secured an improved pay deal.

Unite members at Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) DECA, Sealand, had been striking three days a week since October 2023 over stagnant salaries.

Workers at the site currently help to maintain the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) and the latest F-35 jet fighter.

Unite states that since 2015, DE&S DECA has already saved the MoD more than £225 million, with £37 million being achieved in 2022 alone.

Now, DECA workers have voted to accept a fresh deal and have ended nearly 70 days of strike action.

As part of the deal, they will receive a non-consolidated lump-sum payment of £2,000.

In addition, DE&S Deca has also committed to implementing a Capability Based Pay pilot that acknowledges skills, knowledge and experience when calculating base pay.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, said: “This is a hard-fought victory for workers at DE&S Deca. It shows there is power in a union and that Unite will fight tooth and nail for its members in our relentless pursuit of better jobs, pay and conditions.

“I congratulate everyone involved for their hard work and for standing up to their employer in demanding fair pay.”

Unite regional officer Jono Davies said: “The deal is another reminder that those wishing to improve their wages and working lives should join Unite and organise their colleagues to join as well.”