BAE job fears as Nimrod cancelled
Reporter: JANICE BARKER and LEWIS JONES
Date published: 20 October 2010
Photo: Press Association
AXED . . . the Nimrod project was over budget and eight years late.
‘I’m devastated and angry with this decision’ — union official
Workers today fear for their jobs at the BAE Systems site in Chadderton after the Government cancelled the Nimrod aircraft order.
Although aircraft manufacturing ceased at Greengate in 2005, there are still 300 office staff on site working on four military aircraft service and support projects including Nimrod.
The Nimrod cancellation is also expected to bring forward the closure of BAE’s Woodford, Stockport, site, where many manufacturing staff from Chadderton transferred to.
At Woodford more than 500 jobs and 500 subcontract posts are now at risk, as the Nimrod MRA4 project was due to keep the site running before it closes in 18 months.
The Chadderton site has been open for nearly 70 years and once employed over 11,000 people.
In September there were 26 job losses at Chadderton, because of a reduction in workload in the large aircraft business. And in February, 41 jobs went because of the retirement of the RAF’s existing Nimrod MR2 squadron.
Employees spoke of their job fears as they headed to work in Chadderton this morning.
One who did not want to be named, said: “We’re extremely disappointed with what has happened.
“I think there is clearly going to be jobs cuts, we’re worried.”
A fellow employee said: “The situation here in Chadderton has been a steady reduction in the workforce.
“Job losses are nothing new, we’re used to that.
“There is unease and people are worried about their jobs but it is too early to tell.”
And one staff member starting his shift today admitted that he did not think he had a job to go to.
The Nimrod decision came as a huge shock to workers and unions, and was part of yesterday’s Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Prime Minister David Cameron told the Commons the Nimrod project had cost more then £3 billion and was eight years late.
Only two of the reconnaissance aircraft have been built and will now not go into service.
Further announcements from BAE are expected today, and yesterday a company spokesman said it had co-operated with the Ministry of Defence on making efficiencies.
He added: “We will now study the defence review and the outcome of today’s Comprehensive Spending Review.”
Speaking outside Woodford, John Fussey, of the Unite union, said: “I’m absolutely devastated and I’m totally angry with this decision.
“There’s not much opportunity at any other BAE sites, so I think we’re gong to end up as supermarket people.”
