Talks With Unions Over BAE Job Losses "Constructive"

14 November 2013, 14:37 | Updated: 14 November 2013, 14:39

Defence giant BAE Systems has held "constructive'' talks with union leaders over its decision to axe 1,775 jobs at its shipyards.

The company said it was the start of an "extensive'' consultation process aimed at mitigating the impact of the cuts, which will hit yards in Portsmouth and at Govan and Scotstoun on the River Clyde.

It was confirmed during the meetings that the job cuts will be phased in by 2016.

Around 940 jobs are being cut in Portsmouth, where shipbuilding will end next year, and 835 will go at the Scottish yards as well as Rosyth in Fife and at the firm's Filton office, near Bristol.

A BAE Systems spokesman said: "We have held two days of constructive discussions with our trade unions.

"This is the start of an extensive consultation process and we are committed to working tirelessly together to explore all potential options to mitigate the impact of our proposals on our employees. It is inappropriate to comment further at this stage.''