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Political leaders in Northern Ireland have voiced concern about the future for thousands of workers following the announcement by Bombardier that it plans to sell its aerostructures business.<\/p>\nPolitical leaders in Northern Ireland have voiced concern about the future for thousands of workers following the announcement by Bombardier that it plans to sell its aerostructures business.<\/p>\n
DUP leader Arlene Foster said: \u201cBombardier is an integral part of the Northern Ireland economy, with the skills of the local workforce having been recognized throughout the company.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe partnership with Airbus represented a fresh opportunity for Bombardier and there have been a number of significant orders received since that announcement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe company themselves have recognized the significant increase in work, but the announcement of an intention to sell will be unsettling for the staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is welcome that there have been no workforce implications in relation to this announcement and both staff and the company can be assured of any support locally or in London which might assist them at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in deputy Michelle O\u2019Neill said: \u201cThis is hugely concerning for the affected workers and the wider manufacturing industry and economy in the North.<\/p>\n
\u201cBombardier has faced a number of difficulties over recent years and there have been several major job loss announcements over that time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe economic uncertainty caused by Brexit has also impacted severely on the manufacturing sector and wider economy here.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the scale of today\u2019s announcement will still come as a shock to those affected and to our local economy.\u201d<\/p>\n
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: \u201cThis announcement will cause significant uncertainty for workers in Bombardier sites across Belfast and across the North.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is critical that those most affected by this announcement are offered certainty about their long-term security in the time ahead and supported throughout any transition process when a buyer is identified.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ulster Unionist Party\u2019s finance spokesman Steve Aiken said: \u201cThe news is a matter of considerable concern, not least for the 4,000 employees and their families.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has been no doubt that Bombardier has struggled in recent years, particularly around the development of the C series, but having successfully tied up with the globally leading Airbus company, it was hoped that Bombardier\u2019s future within the aerospace sector was assured.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt must be hoped that all the aerostructures divisions here in Northern Ireland can be retained by any new purchaser and that manufacturing and jobs can be maintained.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said everything possible must be done to ensure a suitable buyer is found.<\/p>\n