UNION bosses say the Airbus workforce at Broughton is "extremely worried" in the wake of plans to make 500 agency staff redundant while more than 3,000 members of the core workforce are to be furloughed.

500 agency workers at Airbus' Broughton site are to be made redundant, according to the UK's second largest trade union.

Unite says the intention by Guidant Global to make 500 furloughed workers redundant is "devastating news".

It follows yesterday's announcement that the majority of the core workforce at Broughton, approximately 3,200 members of production staff, is to be furloughed within the next three weeks.

Unite Assistant General Secretary Howard Beckett said making people redundant was not the intention of the Government Job Retention Scheme.

He said: "The fundamental principle of this scheme is to save jobs by payments to help companies keep workers employed, it is not intended to pay companies to jettison jobs.

"The principle of the scheme is clearly identified by the name given to it by Government - The Job Retention Scheme. There are clearly difficulties and challenges ahead for industry but employers need to hold their nerve and work with Unite to press Government for any needed scheme changes or sector aid packages that are needed to keep workers in employment. This is not a crisis made by workers and must not become a crisis paid for by workers losing their jobs. .

"But fundamentally it cannot be right that the scheme is used to get rid of workers who remain entitled to payments.

"We have today written to the Chancellor demanding that he step in to ensure that the scheme is used properly to save workers jobs”.

Peter Hughes, Unite Wales Regional Secretary added: “Today’s announcement by Guidant is devastating news for the workforce at the plant. The current crisis in the aviation industry caused by the coronavirus is causing concern over the long term viability of the plant at Broughton. The fact that the vast majority of the core workforce are about to be furloughed is very worrying. Whilst we of course recognise the enormous challenges facing the industry, it is crucial that Airbus holds its nerve and does everything within its power to get through this crisis fully intact and ready to ramp up production to pre-pandemic levels when the crisis ends.

The union called for urgent and immediate UK government financial support for the aerospace sector to enable it to get through difficult times during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Hughes added: "Airbus is one of Wales’s most important employers and its continued success is central to the viability of thousands of jobs in Wales and the North West, both at Airbus and in the wider supply chain. Whilst Unite recognises that there is intense pressure on the business at the moment, it is crucial that the Broughton plant is in a position to pick up production levels quickly once the pandemic and its effect on the aerospace sector eases. Airbus, Unite, UK Government and Welsh Government must all work in conjunction to make this a reality”.

Daz Reynolds, Unite Convenor at the Airbus Broughton plant, added: “The workforce that I represent is today extremely worried about what the future will bring for them and their families. Losing up to 500 workers at the plant is devastating for the individuals concerned but also raises questions for everyone else employed on site and in the supply chain.

"Unite has worked extremely constructively with the company to try and steer a path for the business through this unprecedented crisis, however today’s news has come as a body blow to the whole plant. We need to protect the highly skilled and dedicated workforce at Broughton.

"We intend to fully understand the rationale behind this decision by Airbus and are exploring all our options to both oppose these job losses whilst also ensuring the whole plant is able to emerge from these unprecedented times with the ability to continue its status as a central cog in Airbus European operations”.

Speaking about the move to furlough production staff, Mr Reynolds added: "Today's news has come as a body-blow to the whole plant. We need to protect the highly-skilled and dedicated workforce at Broughton."

News that the aerospace giant is to furlough more than 3,000 staff working at its site in Broughton came after chief executive Guillaume Faury warned the company was "bleeding cash at an unprecedented speed".

Airbus said about half of the staff at its Broughton site would be placed on the UK Government's job retention scheme, which pays 80% of wages up to £2,500 a month.

It is understood the company will top up salaries by a further 5% to 10%.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to airlines grounding the majority of their fleet.

Earlier this month, Airbus announced a plan to cut its aircraft production rates by around a third.

Airbus employs 13,500 people in the UK at Broughton and Filton in Bristol. The announcement only impacts Broughton where, before the pandemic, the workforce was approximately 6,000-strong.

An Airbus spokesman said: "Airbus confirms it has agreed with its social partners to apply the Government's job retention scheme for approximately 3,200 production and production-support employees at its commercial aircraft site in Broughton."

Peter Hughes added: "The current crisis in the aviation industry caused by coronavirus is causing concern over the long-term viability of the plant at Broughton.

"The fact that the vast majority of the core workforce are about to be furloughed is very worrying.

"Whilst we of course recognise the enormous challenges facing the industry, it is crucial that Airbus holds its nerve and does everything within its power to get through this crisis fully intact and ready to ramp up production to pre-pandemic levels when the crisis ends.

"Today's news has to result in urgent and immediate UK Government financial support for the aerospace sector to enable it to get through this intensely difficult period."

Earlier, Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford called for support from the UK Government to help manufacturing in the country.

"The difficulties facing the airline industry, including airline manufacturers, go far beyond Wales," Mr Drakeford said.

"We will play our part, but we need a solution that addresses the global nature of the problem."

The Leader has approached Guidant Global and Airbus to comment on Unite's claims.

An Airbus spokesman said: "Airbus continues to evaluate its operational requirements against the COVID-19 environment. This includes ongoing reviews of temporary contracts against future needs, skills and competencies. The latest reviews identified a need to reduce temporary production and production-support labour provided by Guidant and that situation remains unchanged.

"We are extremely grateful to our Guidant colleagues for their support and continue to work in close partnership with all our temporary labour providers to adapt our workforce as required.

"It is not appropriate for Airbus to comment on the long-term plans of the employees of another organisation."