NI Manufacturing Sector Is In Crisis - UUP

The Ulster Unionist Party claims the manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland is in crisis following the announcement that 100 jobs are to be axed at Caterpillar NI.

50 permanent full time jobs are being lost as well as 50 agency staff.

MLA for East Antrim Roy Beggs said the loss of jobs will hit families over a wide geographic area.


Mr Beggs said: "This is more bad news for manufacturing in Northern Ireland.

"My understanding is that workers attending a shop floor meeting were told that 48 full time positions are going, 15 in Larne, 23 at Springvale, and 8 at Monkstown, plus two supervisors are losing their jobs as well. In addition, the number of agency contract workers who will lose their jobs will depend on the uptake of voluntary redundancies. We all need to recognise the pressures on local manufacturers and assess how we can support employment."

(CD)