UNIONS are demanding reassurance for “hard-hit” Irish workers after aerospace firm Bombardier announced it will be selling off operations yesterday.

The company said it will divest its Belfast and Morocco businesses in a move to “optimise its global manufacturing footprint.”

Bombardier employs around 3,600 staff in its five factories in the north of Ireland.

GMB Northern Ireland regional organiser Michael Mulholland said it will be meeting reps to discuss the next steps for workers.

He said: “Our members – and their families – have already suffered a terrible year.

“Bombardier jobs are absolutely vital to Northern Ireland’s economy and it’s time workers were treated with the respect they deserve.”

Company workers already face uncertainty following tariffs by US President Donald Trump and the 490 job losses announced last year.

Unite regional secretary Jackie Pollock said: “It doesn’t matter whose name is above the gate – what matters is that we safeguard jobs and skills in this critical industry.

“The UK government must stand ready to ensure the retention of jobs and skills at these sites, Bombardier is simply too important to the Northern Ireland economy to allow anything less.”