British missile provides to Ukrainian forces preventing Russia’s invasion might be affected by a walkout in Scotland, a union has warned.

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

It provides Storm Shadow and Brimstone missiles to Ukraine.

The GMB union mentioned the strike was the primary within the historical past of the DES and warned provides of the “crucial missiles” manufactured there “will soon run low”.

DES is an arm’s size physique of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that delivers gear and help companies to the UK armed forces.

GMB mentioned staff are indignant over a “two-tier workforce” that sees managers and craft staff obtain bonuses whereas non-craft staff don’t.

The MoD mentioned “pre-planned contingency measures” have been put in place and it remained open to discovering a decision.

The union mentioned 93% of GMB members on the depot voted for strike motion.

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

“Instead, administration have allowed a two-tier workforce to develop, fostering bitterness and anger amongst staff.

“Today’s strike is the first in the history of the DES – it cannot be allowed to carry on.

“If the defence secretary doesn’t step in to proper this flawed, provides of the essential missiles manufactured at Beith will quickly 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 applied at Defence Munitions (DM) Beith to make sure the continued operation of the positioning.

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