STAFF at a factory making aircraft components have been asked to take a 10 per cent pay cut amid threats of redundancies.

The blunt message to all staff at Moore's (Wallisdown) Ltd comes after the slump in air travel following the September 11 tragedy.

The company, which has already laid off nine people since September 11, employs upwards of 250 people in engineering and metal treatments.

Customers for its parts include industry giant Airbus.

Staff were asked on Tuesday to sign forms stating whether they would take the pay cut from December 1. Managers said they had already taken the cut.

Some employees said the majority were refusing to sign. One said: "I can understand there's been a downturn in the industry but a lot of employees haven't had a pay rise for four years.

"The chaps on the shop floor have all stuck together. The feeling on the shop floor is we've had enough. We know there are going to be redundancies so we might as well keep our 10 per cent."

Some staff said they had been told there would be no redundancies before Christmas if they took the wage cut. They understood there could be between 20 and 100 lay-offs after Christmas.

News of the pay cut came in a letter to all staff from managing director Phil Tubbs.

He said the aerospace industry was "facing a period of one to two years of reduced sales".

He added: "It is Moore's policy as far as possible to ensure secure employment for all employees. With that in mind I am proposing that all employees volunteer a 10 per cent wage and salary reduction commencing on December 1. This will help minimise reductions in employee numbers and ensure the company remains strong for the future.

"The management team and I have already confirmed our acceptance of the reduction with immediate effect."

Another worker added: "When people got the letter they were not happy about it and I don't think anyone is going to say yes to it."

Moore's (Wallisdown) Ltd declined to comment on Tuesday.