Unions and management were today preparing for crunch talks in a bid to save more than 1,000 jobs at a leading aerospace company in Belfast.
The fresh discussions are aimed at striking a new pay deal to prevent 1,050 redundancies at Bombardier Shorts.
A preliminary meeting between management and union officials was due to be held today, with full-scale negotiations expected later in the week.
The crisis at the company was sparked at the end of May when 60 per cent of the company's 5,700 strong workforce voted against a four-year pay deal, which was backed by unions.
Management, which had warned of the implications of such a vote, announced the following month that it had no alternative but to cut 1,050 jobs.
Full-time union officials became involved in the dispute after shop stewards failed to win a mandate to re-enter talks with management.
The delegation was led by Mr Peter Williamson, secretary of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions, and included full-time officials from Amicus, the GMB and the T&GWU.
Mr Williamson said the possibility of more than 1,000 people losing their jobs was so important that his organisation had to become involved.
He told almost 800 members of staff at the Ulster Hall last week that the union negotiating team would be following three key aims, to protect jobs, to increase the company's offer on wages and conditions, and to ensure the stability of the company.
A spokeswoman for Bombardier Shorts also welcomed the fresh opportunity for talks with union representatives.
PA