17/12/2001

Jobs axe to fall at Airbus

Airbus is reportedly seeking volunteers for redundancies and proposing a shorter working week in a bid to avoid huge lay-offs because of falling demand for aircraft.

Production of Airbus parts in the UK next year is expected to be down by 25 per cent in the aftermath of the US terrorist attacks on September 11.

Union officials have been warned that unless voluntary agreements can be made, up to 1,700 jobs could be at risk.

Discussing cuts in the work force of 47,000 Noel Forgeard, Chief Executive of Airbus, said on French radio: “We envisage particularly the early retirement of workers at an age of 57 and a half years.”

Voluntary redundancies are expected at Broughton in north Wales and at Filton near Bristol which employ almost 11,000 workers between them.

Talks have been held over the past two weeks and will continue up to Christmas in a bid to avert mass lay-offs. (AMcE)

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