Falkirk-based coach builder Alexander Dennis was urged to waste no more time and work with Unite the union to help protect jobs at the plant.

Unite is concerned that the manufacturer is asking workers to shoulder further serious wage cuts as it seeks to cope with the impact of the recession. The union also wants to talk urgently with the company about press rumours that over 200 jobs could be at risk so that discussions can get underway on alternatives to losing skilled workers from the plant.

Unite says that the workers are already on a shorter working week, down to four-days since 21 September 2009, and have accepted that while they lose out on wages, short-time working means they stand a greater chance of saving jobs for themselves and their colleagues.

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Three weeks ago, both the company and the union agreed that there would be an extension to the four-day week agreement until late March 2010. Given this, Unite says that the company must not rush to slash wages further as the short-time working arrangements should allow sufficient time for anticipated orders to come on-stream. This agreement also contained a commitment to move holiday leave from September 2010 to January 2010 to extend the Christmas and New Year holiday break, again to keep cash in the business and protect jobs.

Scott Foley, Unite Regional Industrial Organiser, said: "The union has retained a commitment to continue dialogue with management representatives to reach an amicable resolution to the current difficulties.

"Our members fully understand the difficult trading conditions the company faces in the short term, however, our members also believe that any financial hit should apply equally to all workers at the site, including the senior management team."

(CD/GK)