Belfast's Harland and Wolff shipyard today confirmed plans to make redundant 265 core workers - more than two-thirds of the workforce.
The move, which will reduce the workers to just 121 by mid-January, effectively means the end of shipbuilding in the once-great yard.
Management met trade union representative to give them the news today, and the 386 workers were then told the news at a meeting.
A statement from the shipyard said they had consulted with trade union officials over issuing 90-day protective notice of intention to effect a redundancy programme covering 197 operators and 68 staff.
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It was intended to have the workforce cuts completed by mid-January 2003, the yard said.
PA