30/07/2003
Pay dispute talks begin at Shorts
Talks began today aimed at resolving the long running pay dispute between Shorts management and the firm's workers.
Around 1,000 jobs have been under threat at the company's Belfast base after the employees rejected a proposed four-year pay agreement.
This was on top of a further 580 redundancies in response to what the company called "very challenging market conditions".
Welcoming the meeting, management said that given "the current challenging market conditions" today's talks were a "fresh opportunity" to resolve the current impasse.
The statement said: "There is a desire by all parties to resolve the current impasse, and we are hopeful that a way forward can be found, which protects the company’s competitiveness and, therefore, jobs in the longer term.
"It is essential that the company is in the best position possible to retain contracts with its customers who are demanding very competitive, long-term price commitments."
However, a union spokesperson for the company's workers said staff were still "extremely angry" at the situation given that they had continued to meet deadlines, schedules and targets even though the threat of redundancies had been hanging over people's heads.
(MB)
Around 1,000 jobs have been under threat at the company's Belfast base after the employees rejected a proposed four-year pay agreement.
This was on top of a further 580 redundancies in response to what the company called "very challenging market conditions".
Welcoming the meeting, management said that given "the current challenging market conditions" today's talks were a "fresh opportunity" to resolve the current impasse.
The statement said: "There is a desire by all parties to resolve the current impasse, and we are hopeful that a way forward can be found, which protects the company’s competitiveness and, therefore, jobs in the longer term.
"It is essential that the company is in the best position possible to retain contracts with its customers who are demanding very competitive, long-term price commitments."
However, a union spokesperson for the company's workers said staff were still "extremely angry" at the situation given that they had continued to meet deadlines, schedules and targets even though the threat of redundancies had been hanging over people's heads.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 September 2002
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
14 February 2024
Minister Welcomes 'Positive' Discussion With Teaching Unions
The Education Minister, Paul Givan, has welcomed a 'positive' meeting with teaching unions, during which the discussed resolving the ongoing pay dispute. Minister Givan met with representatives of the Northern Ireland Teachers' Council (NITC) which comprises the five recognised teachers' unions - NASUWT, INTO, UTU, NEU and NAHT(NI).
Minister Welcomes 'Positive' Discussion With Teaching Unions
The Education Minister, Paul Givan, has welcomed a 'positive' meeting with teaching unions, during which the discussed resolving the ongoing pay dispute. Minister Givan met with representatives of the Northern Ireland Teachers' Council (NITC) which comprises the five recognised teachers' unions - NASUWT, INTO, UTU, NEU and NAHT(NI).
24 May 2021
Hovis Workers Agree Increased Pay Offer
A majority of Hovis workers have accepted an increased pay offer and strike action has now ended. Unite the union welcomed the offer and said it was as "decisive victory for workforce achieved through collective organisation and industrial militancy".
Hovis Workers Agree Increased Pay Offer
A majority of Hovis workers have accepted an increased pay offer and strike action has now ended. Unite the union welcomed the offer and said it was as "decisive victory for workforce achieved through collective organisation and industrial militancy".
12 September 2013
O'Dowd Could Fast-Track Teachers' Incremental Pay
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has said he will move to fast-track the payment of teachers' incremental pay awards. The date for teachers' incremental progression each year is 1 September, but no agreement has been formally reached between employers and unions on a 2013/14 pay award.
O'Dowd Could Fast-Track Teachers' Incremental Pay
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has said he will move to fast-track the payment of teachers' incremental pay awards. The date for teachers' incremental progression each year is 1 September, but no agreement has been formally reached between employers and unions on a 2013/14 pay award.
18 October 2002
NI firefighters balloted over strike action
UPDATE: Firefighters across the UK have voted in favour of holding strike action in the next stage of their dispute over pay. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members voted to begin their industrial action on October 29 - the first firefighter's strike in Britain for 25 years.
NI firefighters balloted over strike action
UPDATE: Firefighters across the UK have voted in favour of holding strike action in the next stage of their dispute over pay. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members voted to begin their industrial action on October 29 - the first firefighter's strike in Britain for 25 years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.