DERRY-based aerospace firm Schivo NI has gone into administration, putting 83 jobs at risk.
The company manufactures precision components used in both commercial and private aircraft, such as the ongoing Airbus and Boeing programmes.
The company had previously been Maydown Precision Engineering, who were bought over by parent company, Waterford-based Schivo, after they went into administration 18 month ago.
Maydown had a staff of nearly 200 at the time, but this number has dwindled since the takeover.
Unite regional officer Philip Oakes said the news was unexpected.
"We are very deeply concerned about this news which has come out of nowhere. Workers on last night’s shift were told not to come back to work today," he said.
"Employment at the former Maydown Precision Engineering site in Derry has fallen to eighty-two over the last few years. Unite has repeatedly warned about the risk to these jobs following attempts by Schivo to de-recognise the union when they acquired the company eighteen months ago.
"Local political leaders told us that they would not publicly intervene as they had been provided assurances by the new management over long-term employment. Sadly, we now see the worth of those promises."
Philip Duffy and Stephen Clancy of Duff & Phelps have been appointed joint administrators of Schivo NI.
