Another 137 jobs placed at risk as aero firm slashes headcount
A further 137 aerospace jobs have been placed at risk in Prestwick as the impact of Covid-19 continues to be felt across the sector.
GE Caledonian has begun a new redundancy process in a bid to balance its books.
It comes hot on the heels of another 150 staff taking redundancy at the plant, with those workers leaving their posts last month.
But the engine maintenance giant has been unable to stem the tide and has announced 369 roles at Cardiff and 137 proposed redundancies in Prestwick.
It means the South Ayrshire plant will have almost halved in headcount, with a total of 287 jobs facing the axe.
Fellow Prestwick aviation giant, Spirit Aerosystems, is currently looking for around 180 voluntary redundancies.
A GE Aviation spokesperson said: “The proposals to reduce our workforce are due to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on the commercial aviation industry.
“We appreciate the commitment of all our employees during this difficult time, and we regret having to make these proposals.
“We remain focused on protecting the safety of our employees, continuing to serve our customers, and preserving our capability to respond as the industry recovers.”
Unite the Union says more support is needed for the ailing sector.
Their national officer for aerospace, Rhys McCarthy, said: “Rishi Sunak needs to have a light bulb moment and replicate the actions of our economic competitors, France and Germany, and put in place comprehensive measures, such as short-term working, to support world-class manufacturing companies, such as GE, Airbus and Rolls Royce, through the pandemic.”
Central Ayrshire MP, Philippa Whitford, has also said ending furlough in October will have “disastrous consequences” for the likes of the aviation industry, which is struggling more than most to recover.