Aerospace company Bombardier has announced they are looking to sell its Belfast operations.
The Canadian firm employs more than 3,000 people in Northern Ireland.
Announcing its first quarter financial results, Bombardier said it is looking to "consolidate its aerospace assets into a single, streamlined, and fully integrated" business unit.
In their statement, the company said: "As the company moves to optimise its global manufacturing footprint, Bombardier will pursue the divestiture of the Belfast and Morocco aerostructures businesses.
"These are great businesses with tremendous capabilities."
CEO Alain Bellemare said the decision to consolidate its operations was the "right next step in our transformation".
The firm had already announced it expects its 2019 revenue to be around $1.0 billion (€890 million) lower than previously forecast.
Last year, Bombardier announced plans to cut almost 500 jobs in Belfast as it worked to cut costs.
In a statement quoted by BBC, the company said there's "no new workforce announcements" as a result of their decision to sell their Northern Ireland operations.
"Absolutely livid"
These employees have said they are still on edge despite assurances from the the company.
One worker said: "We were disgusted the way it was handled this morning.
"Again our members are finding out through social media what is actually going on before they brief their workforce".
Another said: "To say that the workforce is annoyed is an understatement - we are absolutely livid that every announcement that comes out at Bombardier, the press has to be informed first or politicains".
Davey Thompson from the Unite trade union has said he is hopeful there would not be a problem finding a new buyer for Bombardier.
"We have one of the most skilled workforces within the world, not just within the global UK market.
"We have one of the greatest assets in terms of our infrastructure for aerospace, including our supply chain, which would be negatively impacted."
"We believe on a global market there ill be very, very interested parties - but they have to be the right parties.
"They have to be willing to invest, we need to have government support, we need to do all those thing.
"The last thing we want is an investor that comes in and breaks it up".
The SDLP has said the announcement will lead to 'significant uncertainty' for Bombardier workers.
Party leader Colum Eastwood said: “It is critical that those most affected by this announcement are offered certainty about their long-term security in the time ahead and supported throughout any transition process when a buyer is identified.
“I will be meeting with senior Bombardier representatives and trade union officials as soon as possible. Our immediate efforts will be to secure assurances for workers affected by this announcement.”
Bombardier has a number of facilities in the Belfast area, with its main operation focused on administration, engineering, fuselage and wing production.
DUP leader Arlene Foster said: "Bombardier is an integral part of the Northern Ireland economy, with the skills of the local workforce having been recognised throughout the company.
"The partnership with Airbus represented a fresh opportunity for Bombardier and there have been a number of significant orders received since that announcement.
"The company themselves have recognised the significant increase in work, but the announcement of an intention to sell will be unsettling for the staff.
"I have spoken today with Michael Ryan from Bombardier.
"It is welcome that there have been no workforce implications in relation to this announcement and both staff and the company can be assured of any support locally or in London which might assist them at this time."
Additional reporting: Jack Quann
