Menu
06/08/2003
Government enters Shorts dispute
The Government today effectively backed Bombardier's stance over the current wage impasse at Shorts which is threatening over 1,000 local jobs.
Talks between union represntatives and the management of the aerospace company broke down yesterday after union representatives walked out of a meeting claiming management were being "inflexible" in their demands.
However, Enterprise Minister, Ian Pearson said today that he believed the firm when they said that they are committed to its Northern Ireland operations.
Mr Pearson also resigned himself to the fact that jobs will inevitably have to go at the Belfast firm on top of the 580 redundancies already having been announced in response to what Bombardier called "very challenging market conditions".
The Minister said: "It is no secret that the aircraft industry has been going through an incredibly tough time since Sept 11 and that this is, regrettably, having a negative impact on employment levels in Belfast at present.
“Whilst the medium to long term market prospects appear positive, it is important in the current challenging market that the company takes the necessary measures to protect the business and improve competitiveness."
There are fears that those "measures" will invariably lead to all 1,000 jobs currently under threat being lost unless there is a radical change in the current situation. But Mr Pearson declared that he remained "confident" on the future of the Belfast plant.
“All I have seen indicates that, when there is an upturn in the market, Bombardier will be well placed to capitalise on that and, of course, the Belfast operation will have a key role to play," he said.
“I am confident that the current dispute will be settled and that, when the global aircraft market recovers, there will be opportunities for Bombardier to further develop the Belfast operation, with a potential increase in employment levels".
Around 1,000 jobs have been under threat at the company's Belfast base after employees rejected a proposed four-year pay agreement.
Talks on a new deal began last week but broke up yesterday following a disagreement over apprentice intake and holiday entitlement.
(MB)
Talks between union represntatives and the management of the aerospace company broke down yesterday after union representatives walked out of a meeting claiming management were being "inflexible" in their demands.
However, Enterprise Minister, Ian Pearson said today that he believed the firm when they said that they are committed to its Northern Ireland operations.
Mr Pearson also resigned himself to the fact that jobs will inevitably have to go at the Belfast firm on top of the 580 redundancies already having been announced in response to what Bombardier called "very challenging market conditions".
The Minister said: "It is no secret that the aircraft industry has been going through an incredibly tough time since Sept 11 and that this is, regrettably, having a negative impact on employment levels in Belfast at present.
“Whilst the medium to long term market prospects appear positive, it is important in the current challenging market that the company takes the necessary measures to protect the business and improve competitiveness."
There are fears that those "measures" will invariably lead to all 1,000 jobs currently under threat being lost unless there is a radical change in the current situation. But Mr Pearson declared that he remained "confident" on the future of the Belfast plant.
“All I have seen indicates that, when there is an upturn in the market, Bombardier will be well placed to capitalise on that and, of course, the Belfast operation will have a key role to play," he said.
“I am confident that the current dispute will be settled and that, when the global aircraft market recovers, there will be opportunities for Bombardier to further develop the Belfast operation, with a potential increase in employment levels".
Around 1,000 jobs have been under threat at the company's Belfast base after employees rejected a proposed four-year pay agreement.
Talks on a new deal began last week but broke up yesterday following a disagreement over apprentice intake and holiday entitlement.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Police Recover Suspected Firearm In Strabane Police recovered a suspected firearm yesterday during a search outside Strabane town in County Tyrone. Detectives from the Police Service's Terrorism Investigation Unit, who are investigating the activities of the New IRA, made the discovery.
Other News In Brief
Police Recover Suspected Firearm In Strabane Police recovered a suspected firearm yesterday during a search outside Strabane town in County Tyrone. Detectives from the Police Service's Terrorism Investigation Unit, who are investigating the activities of the New IRA, made the discovery.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
30 July 2003
Pay dispute talks begin at Shorts
Talks began today aimed at resolving the long running pay dispute between Shorts management and the firm's workers. Around 1,000 jobs have been under threat at the company's Belfast base after the employees rejected a proposed four-year pay agreement.
Pay dispute talks begin at Shorts
Talks began today aimed at resolving the long running pay dispute between Shorts management and the firm's workers. Around 1,000 jobs have been under threat at the company's Belfast base after the employees rejected a proposed four-year pay agreement.
25 November 2024
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
24 February 2022
New Job Creation Scheme Announced
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced an innovative new scheme to create jobs and meet the needs of employers. The Labour Market Partnerships (LMP) initiative will see targeted employment action plans created in every council area to support people towards and into work, including young people and those with disabilities.
New Job Creation Scheme Announced
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced an innovative new scheme to create jobs and meet the needs of employers. The Labour Market Partnerships (LMP) initiative will see targeted employment action plans created in every council area to support people towards and into work, including young people and those with disabilities.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
