Rolls-Royce, the engineering giant, has revealed plans to cut up to 2,300 jobs as a result of high input costs and the weak dollar.
The losses will affect managerial, clerical and professional workers at the company’s operations in the UK, US, Germany and Nordic countries.
“These actions will help the group to mitigate external headwinds such as increasing raw material costs and the weak dollar,” explained Rolls-Royce’s chief operating officer Mike Terrett. “We are determined to create a leaner and more agile support structure, better suited to the global markets in which we operate.”
It has not been specified exactly how many jobs are to be axed in the UK, although it is hoped the majority of cuts will be achieved through voluntary redundancies.
“We understand the competitive nature of the aerospace sector and the disproportionate effect that the weakened dollar against the pound is having on the industry,” said Unite national officer Bernie Hamilton. “Any jobs lost are disappointing but we will not accept any attempt to make compulsory redundancies.”
