This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_east/6457779.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Airbus staff hold rally over cuts Airbus staff hold rally over cuts
(about 4 hours later)
Hundreds of workers at the Airbus factory in Flintshire have staged a rally in Chester in protest at the expected loss of hundreds of jobs. Around 900 workers at the Airbus factory in Flintshire have staged a rally in Chester in protest at the expected loss of hundreds of jobs.
The plane maker is axing 10,000 posts across Europe over four years to cut its costs, with 1,600 going in the UK.The plane maker is axing 10,000 posts across Europe over four years to cut its costs, with 1,600 going in the UK.
Half the losses are expected at the Broughton site, which makes wings for the A380 superjumbo.Half the losses are expected at the Broughton site, which makes wings for the A380 superjumbo.
Airbus says its costs are far too high and must be reduced to speed up production and improve competitiveness.Airbus says its costs are far too high and must be reduced to speed up production and improve competitiveness.
Unions believe the job cuts will be shared equally between the 7,000 staff at Broughton and the Airbus plant at Filton near Bristol.Unions believe the job cuts will be shared equally between the 7,000 staff at Broughton and the Airbus plant at Filton near Bristol.
About 250 gathered in Chester town hall, while more were outside to listen to the meeting through loudspeakers. Around 400 people gathered in Chester town hall, while hundreds more were outside to listen to the meeting through loudspeakers.
Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami, one of the speakers at the "day of action," said: "We need a strong and united approach to this issue.Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami, one of the speakers at the "day of action," said: "We need a strong and united approach to this issue.
"The unions are leading a robust fight for long-term job security and I am proud to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with so many skilled and loyal workers.""The unions are leading a robust fight for long-term job security and I am proud to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with so many skilled and loyal workers."
Hamburg paradeHamburg parade
The meeting was also addressed by Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sergeant, and Wrexham MP Ian Lucas, who all pledged their support to maintaining a future for Broughton's workforce.The meeting was also addressed by Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sergeant, and Wrexham MP Ian Lucas, who all pledged their support to maintaining a future for Broughton's workforce.
Thousands of Airbus workers in France, Germany and Spain were also stopping work in a series of co-ordinated demonstrations.Thousands of Airbus workers in France, Germany and Spain were also stopping work in a series of co-ordinated demonstrations.
Up to 20,000 Airbus staff were expected to parade in Hamburg, home of the company's principal German plant.Up to 20,000 Airbus staff were expected to parade in Hamburg, home of the company's principal German plant.
Airbus expects the cutbacks to shave 5bn euros off its costs by 2010.Airbus expects the cutbacks to shave 5bn euros off its costs by 2010.
The firm has pledged not to enforce any compulsory redundancies, saying half the cuts will be made among temporary staff and sub-contractors.The firm has pledged not to enforce any compulsory redundancies, saying half the cuts will be made among temporary staff and sub-contractors.
In response to the workers' day of action, Airbus said its restructuring "lays the foundation to create a new Airbus, more efficient, fully integrated and supported by a network of partners.In response to the workers' day of action, Airbus said its restructuring "lays the foundation to create a new Airbus, more efficient, fully integrated and supported by a network of partners.
"It will allow Airbus to develop faster, produce at lower cost, share expenses and risks, and thus to better serve its customers.""It will allow Airbus to develop faster, produce at lower cost, share expenses and risks, and thus to better serve its customers."