Bombardier Workers Reject Pay Offer

Bombardier workers in Northern Ireland have rejected a pay offer.

The employees had been asked to take a two year pay freeze and work for an extra hour every Friday.

88% of Unite members rejected the proposal.

Davy Thompson from Unite union said: "While we recognise that Bombardier faces exceptional cash-flow pressures, the membership of Unite has exercised their democratic right in relation to this offer.

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

In a statement, Bombardier said: "The company very much regrets that the offer it tabled aimed at cutting costs and contributing to the competitiveness of our Northern Ireland operations was not accepted by the workforce.

"It is vital that we reduce our costs significantly if we are to sustain our business here and ultimately protect jobs in the long term. The company remains open to engaging with the Trade Unions in order to find a resolution.

"We will continue to look at measures to reduce our costs and improve our competitiveness."

(CD/LM)