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The Northern Ireland Secretary is under pressure to intervene to save jobs after one of the UK\u2019s main bus builders entered administration, a union official said.<\/p>\nThe Northern Ireland Secretary is under pressure to intervene to save jobs after one of the UK\u2019s main bus builders entered administration, a union official said.<\/p>\n
Trade unionists are holding daily meetings with the company running Co Antrim-based Wrightbus after 1,200 workers were made redundant.<\/p>\n
It followed failed attempts to find a buyer.<\/p>\n
Unite the union regional officer George Brash said: \u201cThey said they are doing everything they can and they are going to have daily meetings with us and contact with us throughout this process.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are hopeful. It is very time-critical but at this stage we are putting pressure on the Secretary of State (Julian Smith) to intervene, we will continue to talk to the administrators and our goal is to get this operation up and running.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wrightbus built London\u2019s Routemaster double-decker \u2013 dubbed the \u201cBoris Bus\u201d \u2013 which was ordered by the Prime Minister when he was mayor and chair of Transport for London, the capital\u2019s public transport operator.<\/p>\n
Mr Brash met Wrightbus administrators Deloitte on Thursday at the Ballymena plant and said he would be communicating with his members.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Ballymena United Football Club has offered free admission to a weekend fixture to former workers at the factory.<\/p>\n
The club said: \u201cThe devastating news yesterday that Wrightbus has entered administration was a body blow to their workers, their families and the wider supply chain, many of whom are in the make up of our loyal fan base.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Ballymena United we recognize that our club is a focal point for all sections of the community and we share in the emotions that have swept over our town in the last 48 hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope that, even if for 90 minutes, everyone\u2019s mind will be diverted to the team on the pitch and we can roar the lads home to a valuable three points.\u201d<\/p>\n
The club offered the workers free entry to their weekend fixture against Cliftonville.<\/p>\n
Wrightbus won contracts around the world with its innovative green technology but struggled with cash flow problems and a wider downturn in the industry.<\/p>\n
Three or four potential buyers failed to materialize in recent days, Unite said.<\/p>\n
Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) official Owen Reidy said thousands of decent livelihoods were under threat.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe company should have engaged with the union much earlier to explore alternatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose alternatives are diminishing into fewer jobs of less quality and lower pay for such loyal staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat loyalty deserves to be rewarded, especially as the Prime Minister has form with Wrightbus, and boosted his profile at photo-opportunities at the now shuttered Ballymena plant.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is essential that the state steps up if an alternative buyer cannot be found to save these jobs, or to utilize those skills in energy-efficient public transportation.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike the workers at Harland & Wolff, the workers at Wrightbus should be viewed as investments in any Green New Deal, and not a cost to the Exchequer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe trade union movement stands ready to support our friends in Unite in any way we can.\u201d<\/p>\n