Workers at Belfast aerospace company Bombardier today appeared to have rejected a chance to re-enter pay talks with management which could save over 1,000 jobs.
The Canadian parent company announced earlier this month that 1,050 jobs would have to go after workers voted against a four-year pay and conditions deal which involved a wage freeze in the first year.
The company had warned in advance about the consequences of rejection but, despite being urged by shop stewards to accept the deal, the workers voted against.
The redundancies will come on top of 1,200 currently being implemented.
Last month Bombardier secured a contract worth more than US$2.2 billion with US Airways for its 50 and 75-seat regional jets.
It is believed that contract prompted the Belfast workers to reject the pay offer, believing the management were bluffing over potential job losses.
For the past week shop stewards have been trying to get a mandate from workers to re-enter negotiations after the management said they were willing to do so.
But, despite discovering there was no bluff, workers are still saying no to new talks on pay.
Bombardier said today that although there was an overall majority among workers in favour of the proposal the three individual unions had not all got a majority for re-engagement.
It is understood that every member of the GBM voted to resume talks, but that there were not individual majorities among AMACUS and T&G members.
The company said it was disappointed at the decision, but indicated it was still keeping the door open should the workers still change their minds.
A statement said: "Despite the fact that there was an overall majority of members in favour of the proposal [to resume talks], the Corporate Committee has confirmed it is unable to re-engage as two separate unions did not achieve the necessary majority vote of their own members."
It added: "The company is extremely disappointed about the outcome of the consultations, but reiterates its willingness to have further dialogue."
PA