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14/10/2003
Industrial action looms at Shorts following talks confusion
Both sides in the current Shorts jobs dispute have blamed each other after the break down of talks following a meeting on Monday night.
Relations between the union representatives and Shorts management have been tense since Bombardier revealed that around 1,000 jobs were under threat after employees rejected a proposed four-year pay agreement earlier in the year.
Today's confusion surrounded which union representatives were supposed to attend the meeting.
Shorts claimed they had been informed that officials from all three unions affiliated to the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions (CSEU) were to attend the meeting to be held under the auspices Labour Relations Agency (LRA) but in the event only two turned up.
In a statement, they said: "The CSEU withdrawal follows the removal of their mandate by local AMICUS and ATGWU shop stewards thereby excluding not only the CSEU officials but also the GMB union from the talks.
"Only internal representatives of the two unions turned up yesterday but refused to enter talks on all the outstanding issues as originally agreed."
However, union representatives said that because two out of three unions had voted for industrial action, it was more appropriate if their shop stewards were the only union representatives to take part in the talks.
Industrial action by members of Amicus and ATGWU is set to begin this weekend unless the situation can be rectified.
Both sides have agreed the need to find a resolution to the matter as soon as possible.
(MB)
Relations between the union representatives and Shorts management have been tense since Bombardier revealed that around 1,000 jobs were under threat after employees rejected a proposed four-year pay agreement earlier in the year.
Today's confusion surrounded which union representatives were supposed to attend the meeting.
Shorts claimed they had been informed that officials from all three unions affiliated to the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions (CSEU) were to attend the meeting to be held under the auspices Labour Relations Agency (LRA) but in the event only two turned up.
In a statement, they said: "The CSEU withdrawal follows the removal of their mandate by local AMICUS and ATGWU shop stewards thereby excluding not only the CSEU officials but also the GMB union from the talks.
"Only internal representatives of the two unions turned up yesterday but refused to enter talks on all the outstanding issues as originally agreed."
However, union representatives said that because two out of three unions had voted for industrial action, it was more appropriate if their shop stewards were the only union representatives to take part in the talks.
Industrial action by members of Amicus and ATGWU is set to begin this weekend unless the situation can be rectified.
Both sides have agreed the need to find a resolution to the matter as soon as possible.
(MB)
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05 August 2003
Shorts talks end in union walkout
Talks between unions and management of Shorts have broken down following a decision by union representatives to walk out of the meeting. It appears the two sides disagreed over apprentice intake and holiday entitlement, with union members accusing the company of being "inflexible".
Shorts talks end in union walkout
Talks between unions and management of Shorts have broken down following a decision by union representatives to walk out of the meeting. It appears the two sides disagreed over apprentice intake and holiday entitlement, with union members accusing the company of being "inflexible".
01 October 2003
Shorts workers vote in favour of strike action
Members of the largest trade union group at Bombardier Shorts have narrowly voted in favour of strike action. The ballot, by trade union group Amicus, called on members to vote on whether they were prepared to take strike action over the current jobs threat at the aerospace company as well as a recent change in afternoon shift patterns.
Shorts workers vote in favour of strike action
Members of the largest trade union group at Bombardier Shorts have narrowly voted in favour of strike action. The ballot, by trade union group Amicus, called on members to vote on whether they were prepared to take strike action over the current jobs threat at the aerospace company as well as a recent change in afternoon shift patterns.
09 August 2002
Belfast Telegraph journalists vote for strike action
Belfast Telegraph owners are facing up to the first industrial action to hit the paper's newsroom in over 20 years. On Thursday evening journalists attending a National Union of Journalists meeting voted unanimously in favour of a 48-hour strike over pay and conditions.
Belfast Telegraph journalists vote for strike action
Belfast Telegraph owners are facing up to the first industrial action to hit the paper's newsroom in over 20 years. On Thursday evening journalists attending a National Union of Journalists meeting voted unanimously in favour of a 48-hour strike over pay and conditions.
22 August 2003
Textile industry in further turmoil
The Northern Ireland textile industry was facing another blow today after it was revealed that 80 jobs are under threat at a shirt factory in Co Armagh. Portadown-based Shirtmakers Guild, which manufactures shirts for the upmarket retailer, Thomas Pink, said the jobs were under threat after its main customer withdrew its order.
Textile industry in further turmoil
The Northern Ireland textile industry was facing another blow today after it was revealed that 80 jobs are under threat at a shirt factory in Co Armagh. Portadown-based Shirtmakers Guild, which manufactures shirts for the upmarket retailer, Thomas Pink, said the jobs were under threat after its main customer withdrew its order.
17 October 2003
Deadlock broken over Shorts pay dispute
Bombardier Shorts have welcomed an announcement by unions that industrial action planned for this weekend is to be suspended.
Deadlock broken over Shorts pay dispute
Bombardier Shorts have welcomed an announcement by unions that industrial action planned for this weekend is to be suspended.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
