Belfast aircraft manufacturer Shorts is reducing the number of workers it is making redundant due to the global downturn in the airline industry after the September 11th terrorist attacks, it announced today.
The company, a subsidiary of Canadian Bombardier Aerospace, announced last September that 2,000 jobs from among the 7,500 workforce would have to go.
It now says it expected overall job losses to be "several hundred less" - provided there was no further deterioration in the market.
However, close to 300 will be made redundant before the end of the month. Workers affected were given formal notification today that their jobs were "at risk". A final list of those to go will be drawn up next week.
A Shorts spokesman said: "The redundancies are taking place right across the company and affect managerial, technical and shopfloor staff". He said: "The mood today is sombre. Regrettably we are losing some valued employees and we realise this is a difficult time for them and their families.
"It is unfortunate that we have to implement job cuts, but it is necessary in order to protect the remaining jobs and survive and grow the company in the future".
Already 90 permanent staff have taken voluntary redundancy and another 350 temporary staff and subcontractors have gone with a further 100 to go by the end of the month.
PA