Unions expressed shock at the scale of redundancies at BAE Systems, after the aerospace firm said it would axe 584 jobs at two separate sites in Brough, near Hull, and Woodford, near Manchester.
BAE Systems said 450 posts will be cut in Brough as work on Hawk jet training aircraft diminishes, and will affect engineering, manufacturing and business support areas. The remaining 134 posts will be lost at Woodford, affecting the shared service team of engineers.
BAE said it had been seeking additional work for the Brough site, but was not able to sustain the current number of jobs.
Tony Arksey, Brough site and services director, said: “We recognise that this is a difficult period for all employees and their families, and we will continue do everything possible to mitigate the number of job losses.”
Unite, Britain’s biggest union, said it would oppose any compulsory redundancies. National officer Bernie Hamilton said: “Only a few days ago, the Red Arrows had the Hawks on display to celebrate the RAF’s 90th anniversary. Sadly, the future for the skilled workers that built these state-of-the art jets is now uncertain.
“Unite will resist any compulsory redundancies and will be working with management at both sites to find alternatives, including re-skilling, transfers to other operations and work packages from other projects.
“We have known for some time that we had a challenge on our hands at both sites due to the completion and delivery of current orders for the Fast Jet Trainer and the completion of work cycles at Woodford,” Hamilton said.
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