Breakthrough in Shorts strike as Amicus agree return to work

There appeared to be a breakthrough at Belfast aerospace company, Shorts today after one of the main unions agreed to send its members back to work.

Amicus have agreed to back a proposal agreed between union leaders and the company on Monday with workers returning to their posts on Wednesday.

It is believed that, under the deal, no redundancies will be made before the end of March and a controversial new shift pattern will be discussed as part of wider pay negotiations.

Welcoming the move, a spokesperson for Shorts said: "We welcome Amicus' decision to endorse the proposal agreed by the union leadership and management.

"We also welcome the fact that their industrial action will be called off and that our employees will be returning to work."

The spokesperson said it was hoped that an agreement could also be reached with the other main union, the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU).

Today's agreement follows all-out strike action taken last week by the 4,500-strong workforce over pay and conditions.

This dispute has been ongoing for over six months between management and union representatives.

Shorts' parent company, Bombardier has been seeking long-term pay concessions as the sector continues to be badly affected by the slump in the aerospace industry.

The recent round of proposals by management included a change in working patterns, introducing an afternoon shift that would have led to the loss of a more lucrative night-time shift.

(MB)