THE result of a ballot asking Airbus workers to work a shorter week in a bid to save jobs at the Broughton plant is expect today.

Last month, Unite said about members of the union employed at the Airbus plant in Broughton would be balloted on the plan to move to a shorter working week.

The plan, which has been negotiated between Unite and Airbus, will see a reduction in the working week of between fine and ten per cent for a short period of time.

If agreed by the majority of about 3,500 workers art the plant, the proposal will remove the possibility of compulsory redundancies and provide a roadmap to a resumption of full time working and a way out of this COVID-19 crisis.

Peter Hughes, Unite Wales Regional Secretary commented: “Coronavirus has been devastating for the Aerospace sector and specifically for Airbus in the UK. If agreed by the workforce at Broughton these proposals for a shorter working week will protect jobs and remove the possibility of compulsory redundancies. We have already lost close to 1,000 high quality jobs at Broughton during the coronavirus crisis, we can’t afford to lose any more.

"This plan to reduce hours will come with a reduction in pay for our members but crucially it offers a route out of the current crisis which will not involve any further job losses. Unite and our senior reps on site believe this is the best option available and we will be strongly urging our members to accept the proposal.”

The result of the ballot is expected later today.

Airbus said the company would comment when the result was known.