Aug 28 (Reuters) - Members of the United Auto Workers

union at GE Aerospace's Evendale, Ohio, plant and

Erlanger, Kentucky, distribution facility went on strike on

Thursday after failing to reach a new contract agreement, UAW

President Shawn Fain said.

The Evendale plant builds marine and industrial engines for

the U.S. Navy, while the Erlanger facility supplies parts to

some of the company's engine plants.

The strike marks the latest flashpoint in a wave of labor

unrest sweeping through aerospace and aviation industries, where

unions have been flexing their muscles to secure new contracts

amid high demand for skilled workers.

From airline pilots and flight attendants to machinists and

aerospace engineers, workers across the sector have pressed for

higher pay and stronger job protections in the last couple of

years.

The union's local chapter represents over 600 workers across

the two sites. Union members had voted by a majority in favor of

a strike if a new agreement was not reached by the end of day on

August 27.

A GE Aerospace spokesperson told Reuters that the company

has activated a "detailed contingency plan", adding it was

"disappointed" the union decided to strike before its employees

had a chance to vote on the offer.