TYRONE ENGINEERING company Powerscreen is introducing temporary lay-offs affecting hundreds of workers. The Dugannon-based quarrying equipment company is blaming a shortage of orders for the move.
Reports suggest anything between 100 and 300 of the 485-strong workforce are expected to be laid off for a week next week. The company is also bringing forward the Easter holiday week to January.
In Belfast, the National Union of Journalists and the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union warned of job losses at UTV following what it called "a ruthless cost-cutting programme at the organisation".
The union said negotiations ended yesterday when managing director Michael Wilson "staged a walk-out" after the union representatives refused to accept the move to declare all posts redundant. "The threat of wholescale redundancies now looms over the workforce in the run-up to Christmas," the NUJ said.
UTV managing director Michael Wilson accused unions of ignoring economic reality. "While we are disappointed that our negotiations with the unions have reached an impasse, we must move ahead with our restructuring plans, as the dramatic and continuing downturn in TV advertising combined with Ofcom's proposed reduction in regional hours regrettably means we have to embark on a significant restructure of the television division."
