Unite the union says Monarch Airlines’ job losses are a “severe blow”
The union Unite has slammed a potential decision by Monarch Airlines to close its maintenance hanger at Manchester Airport, which would put more than 100 jobs at risk
Along with the 1-0 Manchester jobs, Unite said that it expects 12 engineering jobs at Luton and two at Birmingham could also be axed.
"Eighteen months ago our members at Monarch made significant sacrifices in terms of their pay, and terms and conditions to help secure the deal with Greybull Capital," said Unite national officer for civil air transport, Oliver Richardson
Read more: Monarch considers inbound and outbound bids
He added: "So it is very disappointing and a severe blow to our engineering members to hear this news when they have played their part in turning around Monarch and making the airline the profitable business that it is today."
The maintenance hangar in Manchester provides the large-scale services for the Monarch fleet, work which may be transferred to Birmingham and Luton.
A maintenance line for quick turn-around services for aircraft will be maintained at Manchester.
The airline said any possible relocation decision will turn on the outcome of a consultation with Manchester-based employees.
Andy Mackay, Monarch's interim managing director, said: "In the event that redundancies become necessary, we will offer alternative roles to all those affected, with relocation to our other facilities."
However, he stressed that the company is committed to retaining talent and skills.
Unite regional officer, Paul Bouch said: "The company blames a lack of work for these job losses – and not the level of summer bookings. Unite will be giving maximum support to our engineering members affected at Monarch in the days and weeks to come.
"We have our first meeting with management tomorrow where we will be pressing very hard to avoid compulsory redundancies and also for redeployment, wherever possible."
On Sunday it was announced Monarch is considering both inbound and outbound bids, less than two years after it nearly collapsed.
And it was reported that it had taken on Deutsche Bank to "evaluate both inbound and outbound opportunities".