Shorts Bombardier to axe 461 jobs

Belfast-based aerospace company Shorts Bombardier has announced that 461 jobs are to be axed.

The news was communicated to staff at a management meeting at 2pm this afternoon. In all 289 staff are to go in what is termed 'operational directs', which is areas such as shop floor fitting and the remaining 172 jobs, will go from 'functional support' – which is front-end areas such as customer support.

There will now be a 90-day consultation period for unions and management "to explore all possible ways of mitigating the 461 surplus," according to a Shorts spokesperson.

Shorts said that the losses were part of the anticipated 2000 jobs announced last September. A company spokesman blamed the cuts on the "reduction in our production activity caused by the effects on our customers of the world economic downturn and the impact of September 11th".

The spokesperson added: "The company very much regrets losing valued employees… Belfast is a core part of Bombardier's aerospace business and we are ensuring that a strong integrated design and manufacturing capability is retained here."

Shorts will still have "major involvement" in the Global 5000 and Learjet 40 aircraft.

Trade Minister Sir Reg Empey, who is currently in Washington at the US-Ireland business summit, spoke of his "concern" and pledged to do "everything possible to alleviate difficulties".

He said that he discussed the issue with Vice President and General Manager Operations Michael Ryan earlier this afternoon.

The Amicus-MSF union's Shorts Branch officials Kevin Doherty and Noelle Boyle had communicated their concerns to Trade Minister Sir Reg Empey in a letter sent on August 26, and a second which was sent to the department today.

The first letter called for Shorts to be permitted to "take on new contracts from outside the Bombardier group", including workshare contracts with other Aerospace companies such as British Aerospace and Airbus.

It added: "The resumption of this policy would not only secure jobs and skills in Shorts, but would also be of economic advantage to Bombardier due to the highly competitive position of Shorts in the European and North American aerospace markets."

The Minister was also called on to "act swiftly to preserve the remaining employment levels at Shorts, as well as maintaining Northern Ireland’s status in the international aerospace industry".

The second letter to the Minister asked for "all possible effort into securing the existing opportunities for the diversification and growth of Shorts including the benefits that Airbus are capable of providing".

(GMcG)