BOSSES at Rolls-Royce have been urged to “go back to the drawing board” and rethink plans for massive job cuts that have left hundreds of Renfrewshire workers facing an uncertain future.

The engineering giant announced last month that it intends to axe at least 9,000 jobs globally as it addresses the impact Covid-19 is having on the aviation industry.

Management at the firm’s Inchinnan aerospace plant were due to outline their plans to the workforce but that was put on hold after trade union officials forced a last-minute delay.

Fears remain that the maintenance repair and overhaul part of the business could still be under threat, with 600 direct jobs potentially facing the axe.

The cuts could come despite Rolls-Royce receiving tens of millions of pounds of support from both the Scottish and UK governments over the years.

Now calls are being made for the time provided by the delay to be used by the company to sit down with staff and unions and thrash out an agreement that provides a long-term future for manufacturing at Inchinnan.

Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Gavin Newlands, whose constituency includes the factory, told The Gazette: “The Rolls-Royce Inchinnan workforce is seen as a benchmark for quality, flexibility and efficiency within the company and in the global marketplace.

“It’s not too late for the company to get back to the drawing board and have an honest discussion with trades unions and workers who understand better than anyone the challenges their industry faces.”

A spokesperson for Rolls-Royce said the prospect of job losses is not something the firm takes lightly.

“We are committed to meaningful consultation with employee representatives and unions and will explore any further practical mitigating actions with them,” added the spokesperson.

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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