Ulster Unionist MLAs Andy Allen and Steve Aiken have called for the Economy Minister and Invest NI to clarify the employment situation at Bombardier, and commit to a manufacturing strategy for Northern Ireland, in light of an announcement that 95 redundancies are being brought forward at the aircraft manufacturer.

Andy Allen, MLA for East Belfast where Bombardier has its Northern Ireland headquarters, said:

“Bombardier is such a major employer in Northern Ireland with divisions in Newtownabbey Dunmurry, and Newtownards as well as its East Belfast headquarters, that any announcement of job losses will inevitably be a cause of concern.

“As an East Belfast representative I know all too well the vital role played by Bombardier in sustaining the local economy and the knock-on effects of any job losses which are felt far beyond the workers and their families.  

“Just over six weeks ago we were welcoming confirmation of an Air Canada order to purchase 45 CS300 airplanes from Bombardier with an option for an additional 30, and the timely boost that this was giving to our manufacturing sector

“Today we have learned that 95 job losses, part of the overall redundancies previously announced, are being brought forward, despite the company producing a positive interpretation of its financial results for the second quarter of 2016, only last week.

“The Executive, and in particular the Department for the Economy and Invest NI need to take ownership of the situation as it affects Northern Ireland, do all in their power to help minimise the impact of this announcement and show it understands the need to have a long term plan for the economy, particularly manufacturing.”

Ulster Unionist economy spokesperson Steve Aiken MLA said:

“This is again very worrying news for everyone connected with Bombardier, Northern Ireland’s largest manufacturing employer.  In terms of what Stormont should be doing to help, we need the Executive to finally appreciate the need to have a stand-alone manufacturing strategy for Northern Ireland.  This is what the Ulster Unionist Party recommended in our recent manifesto, and echoes the calls of both employer organisations like Manufacturing NI, and the trade unions. 

“Action is also long overdue on the unacceptably high energy costs which local manufacturers are struggling with.  The problem has been clearly identified, but the Executive has failed to act.  All of this is in the context of the move to Brexit, which so far the DUP/ Sinn Fein Executive show no sign of having a joined up approach on”