Wrightbus job cuts are blow but Ford praises efforts to minimise losses

12.25.00pm GMT Tue 11th Aug 2009

"I call on the relevant Ministers to provide support and assistance to those who will be affected by these cuts at Wrightbus."

Alliance Leader David Ford has said that the loss of nearly 100 jobs at Wrightbus in Ballymena will be a blow to the community but he said the fact that the number of losses was expected to be over 200, and has been reduced to under 100 underlines the efforts made to minimise redundancies.

The South Antrim MLA said: "These losses will be a real blow to the community; however, at least the efforts made to keep cuts at a minimum were successful.

"My thoughts go out to all those who are losing their jobs and their families at this extremely difficult time.

"I call on the relevant Ministers to provide support and assistance to those who will be affected by these cuts as now is not an easy time to find alternative employment.

"I would like to praise Wrightbus, their staff and UNITE in the work they have done to reduce the level of job losses. Wrightbus is an extremely important employer in the area and every effort must be made to build the company into the future and take full advantage of new economic opportunities which may arise and provide further employment in future."