Weir angered at Short Bros' meeting refusal

An assembly member has expressed his anger at the management of Short Brothers, Bombardier Aerospace after they refused to hold a meeting with him yesterday afternoon.

Peter Weir, the DUP representative for North Down, said that a pre-arranged meeting with two Bombardier Executives David Malloy and Alec McRitchie to discuss a range of concerns at Shorts was cancelled because he had brought two ex-employees of Shorts as advisors on issues of industrial and pension matters.

He said that when he indicated that he brought Gary Faulkner and Stan Spinks to attend the meeting as his advisors, he was then told to leave.

Speaking today Mr Weir said that it was normal procedure to bring advisors to meetings.

“Judging by the speed I was dealt with, clearly the decision to refuse entry was made long before I had even arrived at the gates – where we then met with a brick wall.

“My treatment raises three very important issues,” Mr Weir continued.

“Firstly, the company had previously indicated that it would treat all employees with dignity and respect, but what they have really shown is ignorant contempt towards them.

“Secondly, the arrogance they have shown towards a public representative is in sharp contrast to the vast sums of public money that Bombardier has received over the last few years.

“Thirdly and most importantly what have Bombardier got to hide? If they refuse to have a meeting with people who want to raise concerns as to their long term commitment to Northern Ireland, the future viability of the design engineering section of their firm, the handling of recent redundancies and their handling of pensions, then it really reinforces suspicions in all those areas.”

Mr Weir added that for the company to “run away from tough questioning” sent a clear warning signal to the current workforce.

However, Bombardier have hotly refuted Mr Weir's claim that he was refused a meeting.

A spokesman said: “Mr Weir was not refused a meeting today with Bombardier executives. Mr Weir had asked for a meeting with the company some time ago and the Company went out of its way to arrange a suitable date that was convenient to him.

“Mr Weir turned up for the meeting today without advising that he was bringing other people with him. He was informed by our Security staff that the Company was ready to meet with him alone but not with others about whom it had no prior notice. However Mr Weir declined the offer of the meeting.

“With regard to Mr Weir’s other allegations, the company does not conduct its industrial relations with third parties such as Mr Weir, but through its trade unions with whom it continues to discuss all matters pertaining to the company and its workforce. We would also point out that the company has already held satisfactory meetings with other members of Mr Weir’s party on matter relating to the redundancies.”

(AMcE)