More staff face axe at Manchester Airport
12.01.08
Thirty engineers face redundancy in a new round of job cuts at Manchester Airport, the Manchester Evening News reports. And unions say those still employed after the cuts could face worse terms under the proposals, including a new shift structure. News of proposed cuts comes six weeks after it emerged that more than 180 baggage handlers at the airport are facing redundancy.
The airport plans to make cuts at its Ringway Handling Services firm because it is making a loss in a 'fiercely competitive' market. A spokesman for Manchester Airport told the newspaper: 'The company has begun a benchmarking exercise and review of its engineering activities over the last few weeks and this work should be completed by the end of March.'
'As a result, it is possible that changes will be made to levels of outsourced contracts. In addition, changes are proposed for internal staffing at the airport. As part of this review, the company is proposing a new shift structure that maintains the right levels of reactive maintenance and scheduled work to meet customer and business requirements.'
'The proposal includes a reduction of around 30 jobs in the engineering team, which it is hoped will be met through voluntary measures. However, it is too early to state the final extent of the changes prior to the reviews being completed. We are consulting fully with employee representatives about the proposals.'
Workers have told union officials they may seek a ballot on industrial action if talks with the management prove fruitless at the end of a 90 day consultation period. Paul Sheehan, from the Amicus section of the Unite union, told the newspaper: 'The announcement came as a big shock to the workforce. They are very upset that a company that is making profits has decided to go down this road.'
If engineers or baggage handlers were to go on strike at the end of March, it could cause disruption for passengers travelling near Easter.
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