According to the company, the decision follows a review of the current and future workload requirements for the business, which is engaged in the manufacture, design and engineering of radar surveillance, command and information systems, mission training and underwater systems for defence and security customers.
Under BAE Systems’ proposals, the biggest losses would come at Broad Oak, Portsmouth, with 220 positions lost and Cowes, Isle of Wight with 125.
Rory Fisher, managing director for BAE Systems Insyte, said: ‘We have a responsibility to address a reduction in our forecast workload and manage our cost base to remain competitive and meet our customers’ future requirements.
‘We will work with our employees and their representatives to explore ways of mitigating these potential job losses and we will ensure employees are fully supported throughout this process.’
Hugh Scullion, general secretary of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering unions said: ‘The staff at Insyte produce cutting-edge technology. These are highly skilled jobs that the UK can not afford to lose.’
Bernie Hamilton, Unite’s national officer, added: ‘This is bitterly disappointing news. Unite intends to do everything possible to resist compulsory redundancies and ensure the company works hard to mitigate the consequences of these reductions.’
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