Workers at an aerospace factory in Macclesfield have agreed to a four-day working week in a bid to reduce the number of job losses.
Members of Unite the Union employed at BWT Senior Aerospace, which manufactures lightweight low-pressure air distribution ducting systems, have agreed to reduced pay on a pro-rata basis from November 2 to June 2021.
The agreement will be reviewed on a fortnightly basis and if demand increases then full time working will be re-introduced at an earlier date, Unite said.
The union said at least 42 jobs at the company have been saved.
Redundancies have been reduced from the proposed 152 to a maximum of 110, out of a bargaining unit of more than 300.
Unite regional officer Allan Small called the result a “bittersweet victory”.
He said: “Our members have shown exceptional selflessness to agree to a substantial cut in wages, in order to preserve jobs.
“However, even this sacrifice is not sufficient to prevent heavy job losses.”
He said job losses in the aerospace sector, which has been hit heavily by a severe downturn in aviation, was because of government failure to provide it with support.
“If the government was prepared to offer further support even more jobs could be saved.
“The agreement at BWT Senior Aerospace demonstrates that members and employers are prepared to play their part in preserving employment during the pandemic; it is time the government also steps up to the plate.”
He added: “Unite remains committed to doing everything possible to reduce job losses at BWT Senior Aerospace and if the compulsory redundancies go ahead it will ensure that all affected members are treated fairly.”
