Bombardier Announces 95 Redundancies

Aerospace firm Bombardier has announced another 95 redundancies in Belfast.

The company said it is part of global reductions in its workforce announced in 2016.

In a statement the firm said: "Following the 7,500 global workforce reductions announced by Bombardier Inc last October, we have reviewed our manpower requirements in Belfast and regret to confirm that we must reduce our workforce levels by up to 95.

"Those impacted will be functional support personnel, including managers and professional staff.

"We acknowledge the impact this will have on our workforce and their families and will explore opportunities to help mitigate the number of compulsory redundancies.

"However, we need to continue to cut costs and improve the efficiency of our operations to help ensure our long-term competitiveness."

Davy Thompson, Unite Regional Coordinating Officer, said:"We are very disappointed with this news. This is another blow to the Bombardier workforce in Belfast and comes in the wake of wider concerns over the ongoing trade dispute with Boeing. The rationale offered by management is that this has been brought about by the outsourcing of IT and the need to reduce staff in functional areas. We do not agree with their case and we are calling on them to lift the threat of redundancies at this time."

Sinn Fein Cllr Máirtín Ó Muilleoir said: "These job losses are a blow at an already challenging time for the company.

"The Department of Economy should ensure full support to workers being made redundant."

Ulster Unionist MLA Andy Allen said: "This is again a worrying time for Bombardier workers in East Belfast and beyond. My thoughts are with them and their families at this difficult time. My understanding is that the 95 job losses announcement at Bombardier today is part of the big restructuring announcement which was made in February 2016. At that time, we were told that between 2016 and 2017, 1080 jobs would be lost in Northern Ireland. It is still very disappointing and concerning news considering the improved sales situation for the C Series since that statement was made, eighteen months ago. I had hoped that these jobs could have been saved.

"The renewed uncertainty at Bombardier also requires a political response at Stormont – with a local Minister and an Assembly working to support businesses throughout Northern Ireland. We need stability in the political situation, a restoration of the Assembly and the implementation of a manufacturing strategy to protect jobs here in Northern Ireland."

(CD)