Aerospace company Shorts has confirmed that 300 jobs are to be cut in a second wave of job losses at its Belfast base.
Almost 600 people have already been let go following an announcement in March and originally it was believed a further 580 would be made redundant.
A spokeswoman said: "We deeply regret having to lose valued employees although the number is fewer than the 580 originally estimated.
"The aerospace industry continues to face challenging times and an uncertain volatile market.
"It is essential we regain our competitiveness to help secure jobs in the longer term and to be ready for the upturn in the market when it comes.
"We will be closely monitoring our production rates over the coming months to meet our requirements.
"We will also be working closely with local trade unions to help mitigate the number of redundancies as we have done in the past."
Shorts is owned by the Canadian firm Bombardier which in April revealed €600 million (£375 million) losses worldwide.
Unions and management at Shorts had been locked in a pay dispute after 60 per cent of workers rejected aproposed four-year agreement over pay in May.
The four-year deal would have resulted in a pay freeze in the first year inreturn for employment assurances. But negotiations broke down last week.
The aerospace industry has struggled in recent years since the September 11thattacks in the United States, with the fear of terrorism, the global economicdownturn, competition from low-cost carriers and the recent Sars outbreak alltaking their toll.
Many airlines have experienced financial difficulties and have cancelledaircraft orders or put them on hold.
PA