Bombardier sells aircraft project to Japanese firm

Tuesday, 25 June 2019 16:57

Q Newsdesk

Japanese firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has agreed to buy Bombardier's CRJ aircraft programme for 432 million pounds.

There's fears the move could put around 350 jobs at risk.

The aviation manufacturer is one of Northern Ireland's largest employers - with more than 3,500 workers here.

The Belfast operation says it's reviewing the impact the deal will have on their sites and workers.

However, the union Unite said the deal will plunge workers in Belfast into uncertainty.

A satsement from Bombardier said:

Following today’s announcement regarding the definitive agreement for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to acquire the Bombardier CRJ programme, we are reviewing what impact this may have on our sites in Northern Ireland and Morocco as suppliers to the programme, and will evaluate opportunities in other programmes to mitigate any potential impact on our workforce.”

Susan Fitzgerald, Unite Regional Coordinating Officer, said

“Today’s announcement that Mitsubishi will acquire Bombardier’s Canadian Regional Jet (CRJ) for $550 million plunges the Bombardier workforce in Northern Ireland into uncertainty and concern. While both Bombardier corporate management and Mitsubishi have been talking up the possible benefits of such a deal to the markets for weeks now, no assurances have been provided to Bombardier workers in Northern Ireland.

“What is more, the fact that no one in the Northern Ireland operations was informed about this by Bombardier global corporate management will result in a wave of anger and concern among the workforce.

“Mitsubishi’s own Regional Jet does not have the necessary accreditation to sell into all markets globally so the acquisition should be viewed as a mechanism for the Japanese company to get a foothold in these. Despite the huge skills base among the workforce in Northern Ireland, there are grounds for concern about the long-term security of the approximately 350 jobs sustained by this work in Northern Ireland – at worst, this sale might simply be a case of Mitsubishi buying up a competitor to increase market share.

“Unite are calling on Bombardier to guarantee this sale will be tied to a cast-iron commitment to the livelihoods of those employed in CRJ production and, as we have previously called for, the UK government must be proactive in defence of these vital jobs and skills. Unite will be meeting our team of shop stewards and with our colleagues in the GMB to coordinate our response to this latest threat”, Ms Fitzgerald concluded.