Troubled aerospace firm faces industrial action

Troubled Belfast aerospace company Bombardier Shorts was facing the threat of industrial action today after its largest trade union voted for a strike.

Members of AMICUS, who make up some 3,500 of the 5,500 workforce, narrowly voted for strike action in a dispute over redundancies and the introduction of new work patterns.

The union said the ballot demonstrated the depth of frustration among its members and that there had been a total breakdown of industrial relations.

However a senior shop steward said “in the midst of all this we would still welcome further discussions with the company to avoid going down the industrial action route.”

A spokesman for Bombardier Shorts described the vote as “deeply regrettable”, saying it sent a strong negative signal to customers.

He too said there should be further dialogue before any industrial action “so we can find a way forward that protects jobs and the competitiveness of the company”.

The union members were faced with two questions on their ballot paper - whether or not they supported strike action and whether or not they supported other forms of industrial action short of a strike.

Of the 3,450 members, 2114 voted, with 1,051 voting for strike action and 1,027 against. There were 36 spoilt ballots.

In answer to the second question there was a clear majority for some form of industrial action, 1,513 for and 586 against – with 15 spoilt votes.

Results of a ballot by T&G members are not yet in and GMB members have not been asked to vote.

The ballot was officially over the introduction of an afternoon shift which carries a smaller pay premium than a night shift and redundancies.

But in reality it was about the general situation in the company.

Earlier in the year the company – hit with falling orders because of the September 11 terror attacks in the US and the global economic downturn - announced 1180 redundancies.

Six hundred went in June but the company says it has managed to cut the next phase of 580 to around 100.

A further 1,000 jobs are at risk after workers voted in May to reject a four year pay and conditions package proposed by the company’s Canadian parent, which involved a pay freeze in the first year.

Discussions on that remain unresolved after talks broke down when the union delegation walked out of renewed negotiations in August.