Bus Builders To Shed Over 200 Posts

Despite being the UK's largest coachbuilder, a Co Antrim manufacturer has revealed planned redundancies for well over 200 staff.

After Wrightbus workers were called to a series of lunchtime meetings at the offices of the Ballymena company today the bad news was announced that it aims to make 235 staff redundant.

The Ballymena-based company, which employs 1,000 people, said a 90-day consultation process has begun.

"We will be actively working with union and employee representatives to explore ways in which we can reduce the number of job losses," a spokesperson said.

Earlier this month, Wrightbus signed an £11m partnership deal with a Dutch coachbuilder to supply 57 buses for use in London by operator Arriva.

Alliance South Antrim MLA David Ford then welcomed the new contract: "This is further proof of the international recognition that Wrightbus has achieved. It will safeguard a lot of jobs in the mid Antrim area.

"I hope that the Wrightbus team have continued success in the future."

However, it is now understood that amid the global economic recession two substantial contracts have recently been cancelled, forcing the job cuts.

(BMcC/JM)