Bombardier is Northern Ireland's largest manufacturing employer

A breakthrough in attempts to end a long-running dispute at a Belfast aerospace company could see a six-week suspension of industrial action.

Although the plan has yet to be agreed, it could see a fresh round of talks between management and unions at Shorts.

More than 1,000 jobs are under threat at the company after workers in two out of three unions voted in May to reject a proposed four-year agreement over pay.

A breakdown in relations followed a meeting between the company and union representatives at the Labour Relations Agency on Monday evening.

Both parties accused each other of intransigence following the talks, amid confusion surrounding the agenda.

Until now, the main bone of contention which prevented talks was the introduction of an afternoon shift, brought in by the company as part of its efforts to cut costs.

However, on Friday morning a possible compromise was put forward through the Labour Relations Agency.

It is understood the company will suspend the shift for six weeks, and make no more redundancies for the same period, if workers will agree to suspend their industrial action.

Shop stewards will decide whether to back the plan on Tuesday, having discussed it by then with their members.

Industrial action due to start on Friday night has been put back pending the outcome of that meeting.

A "yes" vote would lead to talks at the Labour Relations Agency next Friday when all issues in this dispute would be on the table.

Bombardier Shorts is Northern Ireland's largest manufacturing employer.

The company released a statement on Tuesday saying it believed officials from all three unions were to take part in a discussion on all aspects of the dispute.

Representatives from only two unions were involved, and the firm said it believed this was not in the interests of either the company or its employees.

Voted

However, the unions said as two out of three had voted for industrial action, it was more appropriate if their shop stewards were the only union representatives to take part in the talks.

The unions insisted that issues surrounding threatened industrial action needed to be addressed first, to pave the way for talks on wider matters.

Both sides have said they remained committed to finding a resolution.

The company has already announced 580 redundancies in response to what it called "very challenging market conditions".

Bombardier in Canada has made it clear that it needs to reduce the workforce in Northern Ireland in order to improve competitiveness.

It said it was essential that the company was "in the best position possible to retain contracts with its customers who are demanding very competitive, long-term price commitments".

The aerospace industry has been badly affected in recent years by events including 11 September, the consequent fear of terrorism, the downturn in the global economy, competition from low-cost carriers and the recent Sars outbreak.

Many airlines are in financial difficulties and have cancelled some aircraft orders and put others on hold.