Fresh talks in Shorts dispute

Bombardier is Northern Ireland's largest manufacturing employer

Unions and management at a Belfast aerospace company have begun another round of talks in an attempt to break the deadlock in a long-running industrial dispute.

The two sides at Shorts agreed to proposals put forward by the Labour Relations Agency earlier this week to allow Friday's talks to proceed.

More than 1,000 jobs are under threat at the company after workers in two out of three unions voted in May to reject a proposed four-year agreement over pay.

The unions have suspended industrial action for six weeks while the company has suspended a controversial new shift pattern for the same period.

Friday's discussions were expected to set the agenda for more intensive negotiations next week.

Largest employer

Both sides have said they remained committed to finding a resolution.

Shorts is Northern Ireland's largest manufacturing employer.

The company has already announced 580 redundancies in response to what it called "very challenging market conditions".

The firm's parent company, Bombardier, has made it clear that it needs to reduce the workforce in Northern Ireland in order to improve competitiveness.

The Canadian company said it was essential that the Belfast operation was "in the best position possible to retain contracts with its customers who are demanding very competitive, long-term price commitments".

The aerospace industry has been badly affected in recent years by events including 11 September, the consequent fear of terrorism, the downturn in the global economy, competition from low-cost carriers and the recent Sars outbreak.

Many airlines are in financial difficulties and have cancelled some aircraft orders and put others on hold.