AEROSPACE staff at BAE SYSTEMS are prepared to strike to save their jobs as they launch a campaign to secure the future of the production of civil aircraft.

A full stewards meeting was held on Tuesday, October 22, following news that 400 employees may be axed by managers who say they don't consider Aerostructures as the core business.

Fear is building among workers at Aerostructures -- who build non-electronic sections of aircraft -- that BAE may decide to sell the department off.

Neil Sheehan, convenor for the joint shop stewards at Samlesbury, representing different unions at the plant, said: "We have told managers that we will campaign with MPs and do whatever it takes to save Aerostructures. We want to retain military and civil aircraft on the site and we won't rule out industrial action.

"This could be the start of an attack on manufacturing with work sold off overseas. This has been done already with work from Aerostructures going to Malaysia."

Neil Sheehan who has worked for the company for nearly 30 years said he is concerned that managers may move towards producing systems only and cut out the non-electronic sections.

Mark Hendrick, Labour MP for Preston, Bamber Bridge and Walton-le Dale, said: "I do back them up and I'm very disappointed in BAE. I'm happy to campaign with them to do everything we can to retain jobs."

David Borrow, Labour MP for South Ribble said that he had approached Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about the matter.

He said: "I am more than happy to discuss the issue with them and I believe there will be a meeting with local MPs shortly."

Despite meeting targets and supporting the military production Mr Sheehan said they are still under threat of losing their jobs. "Managers will be consulting with us in a few weeks," he said. "But it is how they are going to handle it, whether they consult with us before a decision is made or if the decision is made before we have any input -- that's not acceptable."