This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30236046
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Caterpillar: Union says engineering firm plans 140 job cuts | Caterpillar: Union says engineering firm plans 140 job cuts |
(25 minutes later) | |
The US engineering firm Caterpillar is planning to cut 140 jobs across its Northern Ireland operations, according to a trade union. | The US engineering firm Caterpillar is planning to cut 140 jobs across its Northern Ireland operations, according to a trade union. |
The Unite union said the job losses will affect 65 employees and 75 agency workers in manufacturing roles. | The Unite union said the job losses will affect 65 employees and 75 agency workers in manufacturing roles. |
The firm employs about 2,000 people across its County Antrim plants at Larne, west Belfast and Monkstown. | |
The company confirmed it is seeking 65 voluntary staff redundancies but has not yet commented on agency workers. | The company confirmed it is seeking 65 voluntary staff redundancies but has not yet commented on agency workers. |
'Appropriate measures' | 'Appropriate measures' |
In a statement, a spokesperson for Caterpillar said: "Current weaknesses in the economies of some key markets are impacting on demand for some of our products. | In a statement, a spokesperson for Caterpillar said: "Current weaknesses in the economies of some key markets are impacting on demand for some of our products. |
"The company is therefore taking appropriate measures during this time to help ensure the competitiveness of the business. | "The company is therefore taking appropriate measures during this time to help ensure the competitiveness of the business. |
"We will continue to closely monitor the economic environment and will continue to communicate with employees." | "We will continue to closely monitor the economic environment and will continue to communicate with employees." |
'Very disappointed' | 'Very disappointed' |
Unite's regional co-ordinating officer, Davy Thompson called for a "proactive response" from Stormont politicians. | Unite's regional co-ordinating officer, Davy Thompson called for a "proactive response" from Stormont politicians. |
"We are very disappointed by these job-losses which will affect workers across the company's three production sites in Larne, Monkstown and Springvale. | "We are very disappointed by these job-losses which will affect workers across the company's three production sites in Larne, Monkstown and Springvale. |
"The timing of this announcement is particularly difficult for the workforce coming in the mouth of Christmas," Mr Thompson added. | "The timing of this announcement is particularly difficult for the workforce coming in the mouth of Christmas," Mr Thompson added. |
"Unite is committed to securing the very best possible terms for all our members affected by this decision." | "Unite is committed to securing the very best possible terms for all our members affected by this decision." |
The US firm bought one of Northern Ireland's most famous manufacturing companies, FG Wilson, in 1999 and last year it renamed the County Antrim firm as Caterpillar (Northern Ireland). | |
In September 2012, the firm cut more than 700 jobs as it moved some manufacturing to China. | In September 2012, the firm cut more than 700 jobs as it moved some manufacturing to China. |
It later added about 200 jobs in a "shared services centre" which provides back-office support for Caterpillar's global operations. | It later added about 200 jobs in a "shared services centre" which provides back-office support for Caterpillar's global operations. |
Previous version
1
Next version