600 Belfast shipyard job losses
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Belfast's troubled Harland and Wolff shipyard is to axe half its workforce in a desperate bid to stay afloat, according to union leaders.
Belfast's troubled Harland and Wolff shipyard is to axe half its workforce in a desperate bid to stay afloat, according to union leaders.
They say 600 jobs are to go at the famous yard as it battles to stay in business, just weeks after losing a tender to build a new Northern Ireland ferry.
The GMB union described the losses as a "body blow" which could devastate the local economy.
A GMB spokesman said: "Ministers must take immediate action to support the workers facing redundancy."
But the yard's owner, Fred Olsen Energy of Norway, denied making any such announcement, saying cuts to its 1,250 workforce were "pure speculation".
A company spokesman insisted there had been no meetings with unions and denied making any announcement about lay offs at the yard where the Titanic was built.
Unions have feared possible losses, believing the yard's owners were planning a major restructuring of its business.
Hopes were raised just last week after an arbitration tribunal awarded the company £21.8 million after a contract dispute with a Texan oil services firm.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments