Frozen out

Unite is seeking urgent discussions with management after workers at Bombardier in Northern Ireland overwhelmingly rejected a pay offer as part of cuts to the Belfast operation.

Members had been asked by the aircraft maker to accept a two-year pay freeze and work for an extra hour every Friday, but this was dismissed by nearly 90 per cent of those taking part in the ballot.

“Unite negotiators were asked to ballot on a pay offer from management which would seek cuts to workers’ terms and conditions and leave them dependent on a performance-related bonus for an improvement in their incomes,” said Unite regional coordinating officer Davy Thompson.

“The union did not try to influence its members in regard to the offer but our representatives in the workforce presented it to them on the grounds outlined by management,” he added.

The Canadian-owned outfit, which employs 5,500 people in Northern Ireland, claims the company is facing “serious financial crisis.” Unite is stressing the need speak to management with the “aim of making progress.”

“While we recognise that Bombardier faces exceptional cash-flow pressures, the membership of Unite has exercised their democratic right in relation to this offer,” Thompson went on to say.

“We will now seek to engage with management in order to progress this matter further.”