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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| 645 jobs going at aerospace firm | 645 jobs going at aerospace firm |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| More than 600 jobs are going at the Belfast aerospace company Shorts, parent company Bombardier has said. | More than 600 jobs are going at the Belfast aerospace company Shorts, parent company Bombardier has said. |
| The firm said 645 jobs would go and all levels would be affected. | |
| It said there was lower demand in the worldwide market in regional jets which has led to fewer orders. Nearly 500 jobs are going in Canada. | It said there was lower demand in the worldwide market in regional jets which has led to fewer orders. Nearly 500 jobs are going in Canada. |
| Meanwhile, Bombardier has said there is no connection between the growth of its operation in Mexico and the loss of the jobs in Belfast. | |
| About 1,200 new jobs are being created in Mexico. | |
| The factory there specialises in electrical harnessing for Bombardier aircraft. | |
| Peter Williamson of the Amicus union said he was shocked when he heard about the job cuts. | Peter Williamson of the Amicus union said he was shocked when he heard about the job cuts. |
| "While we would have been aware that there was difficulties at the company, I think the announcement of 645 jobs on a Northern Ireland scale is enormous," he said. | "While we would have been aware that there was difficulties at the company, I think the announcement of 645 jobs on a Northern Ireland scale is enormous," he said. |
| "What we can do about it is limited. | "What we can do about it is limited. |
| "I think Bombardier Shorts need to take stock and answer the question - What is the future of Shorts in Northern Ireland?" | "I think Bombardier Shorts need to take stock and answer the question - What is the future of Shorts in Northern Ireland?" |
| Consultations will begin with the unions to try to keep the compulsory redundancies to a minimum. | Consultations will begin with the unions to try to keep the compulsory redundancies to a minimum. |
| The firm said it would cut production of the CRJ700/900 regional jets and increase production of the Q400 turboprop. | The firm said it would cut production of the CRJ700/900 regional jets and increase production of the Q400 turboprop. |
| Part of the turboprop is made in Belfast, but not enough to offset the cutback in regional jet production. | Part of the turboprop is made in Belfast, but not enough to offset the cutback in regional jet production. |
| The Belfast jobs will start to go in January 2007, the company said. | The Belfast jobs will start to go in January 2007, the company said. |
| Bombardier president Pierre Beaudoin said they had to ensure "we achieve our goal of increased profitability and our success in the long term". | Bombardier president Pierre Beaudoin said they had to ensure "we achieve our goal of increased profitability and our success in the long term". |
| 'Success goal' | 'Success goal' |
| "This means making difficult but necessary decisions," he said. | "This means making difficult but necessary decisions," he said. |
| "We recognise the impact this decision will have on our affected employees and we will treat them fairly and with respect." | "We recognise the impact this decision will have on our affected employees and we will treat them fairly and with respect." |
| He said the workforce level at Bombardier's Toronto facility where the Q-Series and Global aircraft are manufactured will rise by more than 800 to reflect the increase in production levels. | |
| Mr Robinson said the job cuts would hurt the economy | |
| But he added this would see 1,330 fewer employees at its Montreal-area facilities and at its Belfast site over a nine-month period starting October 2006. | But he added this would see 1,330 fewer employees at its Montreal-area facilities and at its Belfast site over a nine-month period starting October 2006. |
| Peter Robinson, DUP MP for East Belfast, said the job cuts would have a severe impact on the Northern Ireland economy. | Peter Robinson, DUP MP for East Belfast, said the job cuts would have a severe impact on the Northern Ireland economy. |
| "I have already spoken to Shorts Chief Executive Michael Ryan and urged him to take steps to offset and mitigate these job losses," he said. | "I have already spoken to Shorts Chief Executive Michael Ryan and urged him to take steps to offset and mitigate these job losses," he said. |
| Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said he hoped the company would do all it could to attract more work to its Northern Ireland operation. | Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said he hoped the company would do all it could to attract more work to its Northern Ireland operation. |
| "The company has advised me that the 90-day notice will allow for negotiations with the trade unions and provide the company with an opportunity to seek new work from the group," the East Belfast assembly member said. | "The company has advised me that the 90-day notice will allow for negotiations with the trade unions and provide the company with an opportunity to seek new work from the group," the East Belfast assembly member said. |
| Sinn Fein's economic spokesperson Mitchel McLaughlin said the job losses highlighted the dangers of having an economic policy driven by an over-dependence on foreign investment. | Sinn Fein's economic spokesperson Mitchel McLaughlin said the job losses highlighted the dangers of having an economic policy driven by an over-dependence on foreign investment. |
| The Foyle Assembly member said: "Sinn Fein has been arguing for sometime that the structural weaknesses in the local economy will not be overcome through an over-reliance on foreign direct investment." | The Foyle Assembly member said: "Sinn Fein has been arguing for sometime that the structural weaknesses in the local economy will not be overcome through an over-reliance on foreign direct investment." |
| Enterprise Minister Maria Eagle said the government would do all it could to minimise the impact of the jobs losses. | Enterprise Minister Maria Eagle said the government would do all it could to minimise the impact of the jobs losses. |
| "I can assure (the workers) that government will do all in its power to make appropriate advice and guidance on alternative employment and training opportunities available," she said. | "I can assure (the workers) that government will do all in its power to make appropriate advice and guidance on alternative employment and training opportunities available," she said. |
| Bombardier Aerospace employs about 26,900 globally with 5,300 of its workforce in Belfast. | Bombardier Aerospace employs about 26,900 globally with 5,300 of its workforce in Belfast. |