The Guvnor
18th Dec 2001, 01:09
From PA News:
8:10pm (UK)
Airbus to Axe 500 Jobs
By Alan Jones, Industrial Correspondent, PA News
Around 500 jobs are to be cut in the UK by aircraft manufacturer Airbus because of falling demand, a senior executive said today.
The consortium had warned that up to 2,000 jobs were at risk in the country because of a 25% fall in production next year in the aftermath of the US terrorist attacks.
But Noel Forgeard, a top executive at Airbus, said at the organisation’s headquarters in Toulouse today that 500 voluntary redundancies will be sought.
UK union leaders welcomed the statement which they said amounted to 1,200 jobs being saved.
Unions and management have been negotiating for weeks over a deal to include changes in shift patterns, ending overtime and the introduction of a 35-hour week because of the problems being faced by the aircraft manufacturer.
Roger Lyons, general secretary of the Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union, said tonight: “Compared to the knee-jerk reactions from other aerospace companies recently the deal with Airbus is a breath of fresh air.
“It shows what can be achieved through consultation. The management of Airbus understand that it is more important to retain the skills of their staff for the long term rather than make a reactive cut to please the City in the short term.”
Workers at the two plants in the UK where parts of the Airbus are manufactured – Broughton in North Wales and Filton, near Bristol – are to vote on the proposed deal involving a shorter working week.
8:10pm (UK)
Airbus to Axe 500 Jobs
By Alan Jones, Industrial Correspondent, PA News
Around 500 jobs are to be cut in the UK by aircraft manufacturer Airbus because of falling demand, a senior executive said today.
The consortium had warned that up to 2,000 jobs were at risk in the country because of a 25% fall in production next year in the aftermath of the US terrorist attacks.
But Noel Forgeard, a top executive at Airbus, said at the organisation’s headquarters in Toulouse today that 500 voluntary redundancies will be sought.
UK union leaders welcomed the statement which they said amounted to 1,200 jobs being saved.
Unions and management have been negotiating for weeks over a deal to include changes in shift patterns, ending overtime and the introduction of a 35-hour week because of the problems being faced by the aircraft manufacturer.
Roger Lyons, general secretary of the Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union, said tonight: “Compared to the knee-jerk reactions from other aerospace companies recently the deal with Airbus is a breath of fresh air.
“It shows what can be achieved through consultation. The management of Airbus understand that it is more important to retain the skills of their staff for the long term rather than make a reactive cut to please the City in the short term.”
Workers at the two plants in the UK where parts of the Airbus are manufactured – Broughton in North Wales and Filton, near Bristol – are to vote on the proposed deal involving a shorter working week.