Jobs axe to fall at Airbus

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

Production of the Airbus in the UK next year is expected to be down by 25% 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.

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

Union sources said the number of volunteers could be around 200 at Broughton and fewer at Filton because of cost-cutting measures including an agreement to work at 35 hour week and end all overtime.

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

An official of Airbus said today that the manufacturer, which is 20% owned by the UK’s BAE Systems, was keen to retain skilled workers and capacity.

’’We believe the market will pick up in two to three years’ time,’’ said the official.

Next year’s reduction will be a ‘‘temporary dip’’ which will be reversed Airbus believes.

Mark Tami, Labour MP for Alyn and Deeside, where the Broughton factory is based said: ‘‘This has been a very good example of how management and unions can sit down together and consider how to save jobs and secure the long term future.’’

Mr Tami added that this approach was in ‘‘stark contrast’’ to recent announcement of huge job cuts in engineering and aerospace by firms including Rolls-Royce.