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17 December, 2001Agreement between the company and unions could save up to 1,800 jobs.
GREAT BRITAIN: It has been reported that the subsidiary of Airbus in the UK is close to a deal with its unions that could save up to 1,800 jobs put at risk when the European aircraft maker was forced to abandon plans to boost production. The UK operation, which makes the wings for all Airbus aircraft, had warned that it might cut jobs in response to the crisis facing global aviation.
Unions began balloting members this week after recommending a deal that included a wage freeze, a ban on overtime and a change in shift patterns. In return Airbus has agreed to a reduction in the working week from 37 to 35 hours.
Airbus UK has already received more than 200 applications for a basic voluntary redundancy scheme and had also offered early retirement to anyone over 60. The company employs 11,000 people at Broughton, near Chester, and Filton, near Bristol.
The company wants to avoid an exodus of skilled labour as it expected to resume growth in the next two to three years.
Unions began balloting members this week after recommending a deal that included a wage freeze, a ban on overtime and a change in shift patterns. In return Airbus has agreed to a reduction in the working week from 37 to 35 hours.
Airbus UK has already received more than 200 applications for a basic voluntary redundancy scheme and had also offered early retirement to anyone over 60. The company employs 11,000 people at Broughton, near Chester, and Filton, near Bristol.
The company wants to avoid an exodus of skilled labour as it expected to resume growth in the next two to three years.