WRIGHTBUS AXES 95 JOBS

» Loss of sales is blamed for ‘tough decision’ » Union calls for action plan to save workers

WRIGHTBUS is to cut 95 jobs at its Co Antrim factory after a downturn in orders.

The company has built buses for London and Scotland-based transport giant Stagecoach at its plant in Ballymena.

Just last year Wrightbus planned to expand its Galgorm facility with a 200,000 sq ft industrial complex.

But staff were told yesterday the company is to cut its 1,500-strong workforce by around 95.

George Brash, from the union Unite, said the news came out of the blue and added: “The announcement will be devastating for the workforce, the latest in what has been a series of blows to the Antrim and Ballymena workforce. Wrightbus is one of the last major remaining employers in the area after a spate of site closures over the past two years.

“We understand the job losses are the result of the loss of sales to Transport for London in addition to the protracted delay in new orders coming in from Translink.

“Unite will redouble our efforts to break the logjam on orders and defend Northern Ireland jobs.

“We need to see our politicians and the economic development agency Invest NI doing likewise.

“We are calling for a manufacturing strategy to tackle the impact of these job losses and those over previous years.

“The consultation period for this redundancy commences on Wednesday.

“Unite will be in constant contact with the workforce throughout the process and will endeavour to secure jobs and the best possible outcome for all our members.”

Company chair Mark Nodder said: “As a privately-owned business and one of the largest employers here, it is done with a heavy heart.

“However, we operate in a dynamic marketplace with competition from around the globe and we must respond and react accordingly.

“We will work with employee representatives to ensure we manage the process in the most sympathetic way possible for all affected.”

ICONIC London bus designed and built at Ballymena plant