BAE axed

Oldham Councillor Dave Hibbert, pictured outside the factory today, said the closure would be a “disaster for the people who work here and their families”

WORKERS at BAE Systems in Chadderton were being told today that the historic site is to close — with the loss of all remaining 200 jobs.

The defence company refused to comment but the Chronicle understands an announcement was being made late this morning — following a briefing at 9.30am.

One worker, who had been at Chadderton for 25 years, said: “I heard on Monday it was going to close and that they were making an announcement today.

“There have been rumours. No one really knows, but that’s what we’ve heard.

“They have let us know gradually that things are going that way. I have been offered a job at Salmesbury which I will accept. It’s sad because I’ve been here for 25 years, but it was not unexpected, it was inevitable.”

Outside the site this morning, Oldham Councillor Dave Hibbert, cabinet member for housing, transport and regeneration, whose family has been connected with the aircraft industry at Chadderton for three generations, said: “This is a disaster for the people who work here and their families.

“We have officers in the regeneration department ready to advise these people on what jobs are available and what benefits they can get.

“The closure will have no impact whatsoever on the local economy but it’s a sad day for Chadderton and Greater Manchester.”

It is believed all the workers will be offered jobs at BAE’s Salmesbury site near Blackburn.

The Chadderton site was once home to more than 10,000 workers but since November last year, when the last round of redundancies was announced, there has been a core of 150 employees supporting three aircraft, Tornado, Sentry and VC10. Until March they also supported the Nimrod R1.

The employees are within the Military Air Solutions business.

Production stopped in 2004 since when the site has been for office-based engineers and supply chain personnel.