Union working with management to avoid compulsory redundancies

NI Executive needs to take action to defend beleaguered manufacturing sector

May 14th: Responding to Bombardier’s announcement that a further 280 jobs are to be lost in Belfast as part of a global restructuring process, Davy Thompson, Regional Coordinating Officer with responsibility for the workforce expressed his regret at the decision and pointed to the need for a proactive response from Stormont politicians.

“We are very disappointed by the scale of job-losses associated with this announcement although they represent only a proportion of the 1,750 jobs that Bombardier plan to shed globally. The job losses are part of a restructuring in response to a downturn in the luxury jet market

“The job losses are likely to be concentrated in the ‘complementary labour force’ although the scale will mean that some ‘core’ staff may be affected. Management have indicated that they intend to ensure that job losses to ‘core’ staff are delivered through our social pact to avoid compulsory redundancies.

“Unite will liaise with the employer to ensure the best possible outcome for all our members.

“This announcement highlights the inadequacy of existing employment protection, in particular for that afforded to agency workers who are making up more and more of the overall Northern Ireland labour force. There’s a need for Stormont politicians to take action to improve worker protections.

“We are also aware that there is a lack of support for retraining and redeployment within large manufacturing businesses like Bombardier. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

“The job losses associated with this announcement are the latest in a series of blows to the NI manufacturing base culminating in more than 2,000 jobs being lost. In response, Unite is now seeking a meeting with the incoming Enterprise, Trade & Investment Minister, Jonathan Bell to discuss opportunities to support our beleaguered manufacturing sector”, Mr Thompson concluded.