Jobs go at BAE

9th Sep 2010 16:19

BAE Systems is sacking hundreds of workers who make parts for the Tornado, Harrier jump jet and Hawk trainer, it emerged Thursday.The country's biggest defence contractor is making the heaviest cuts at its military air division, hitting sites across the country.About 740 staff, including 450 at Samlesbury and Warton in Lancashire and over 200 in Brough, Yorkshire, face the axe. Factories in Oldham and Hampshire will also shed jobsAnother 206 employees will go at the integrated technology business, Insyte, although those cuts have already been flagged."These potential job losses result from the impact of the changes in the defence programme announced in December 2009, together with other workload changes," Kevin Taylor, managing director of Military Air Solutions, said."We appreciate this is difficult news and we are committed to working with employees and their representatives to explore ways of mitigating the potential job losses." The unions are furious."With the forthcoming defence review, these cuts may be the tip of the iceberg but knee-jerk reactions from employers could make things even worse," warned Hugh Scullion, general secretary of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions. "Cuts are being demanded before the shape of the defence industry has been decided. The defence industry will suffer more than necessary if employers make poor judgement calls."