12/12/2003

Pay talks run into trouble at Shorts

Talks at resolving a pay and conditions dispute at leading Belfast aerospace company, Shorts have again faltered.

Unions described the latest offer by the company as derisory and their position as intransigent and because of the onset of Christmas discussions would have to be delayed until the New Year.

Management at Shorts described the decision as "disappointing" and said that the company was committed to finding a resolution to all the outstanding issues including shifts in order to put a final position on the pay contract to the workforce this week.

"The company will now review its position, but remains committed to finding a way forward on all the substantive issues," the statement added.

East Belfast Sinn Féin representative Joe O'Donnell described the new problems as "hugely disappointing" and called on management to come back to the table with a realistic offer.

"The attitude of management to resolving this dispute has been disappointing and even at this late stage I would urge them to reconsider their position and work with the Unions in seeking a fair resolution to this long running dispute," Mr O'Donnell said.

The dispute over pay and conditions at the company has been dragging on for more than six months.

Negotiations followed industrial action by about 4,000 members of the Amicus and Transport Workers unions earlier this month in a row over pay and cost-cutting at Northern Ireland's biggest manufacturing firm.

(MB)

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