Workers have still received no answers three months after Boeing acquisition of Spirit confirmed

Secretary of state for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn yet to meet unions representing Spirit workers

Unite is calling for the workforce at Spirit Aerospace to receive firm assurances about their future. 

In July Boeing announced the acquisition of Spirit. However, Airbus intends to take over wing production lines in Northern Ireland. Yet no assurances have been given to workers, in particular those on non-Airbus production lines, leaving all workers concerned for their future.

Unite represents the majority of the 3,700 Spirit employees in Northern Ireland. It has warned that uncertainty over jobs at Spirit represents a huge threat to the wider Northern Ireland economy and its vital aerospace sector. Unite estimates that a further 7,000 workers are employed in the wider Spirit supply chain.

If the company must be sold Unite is calling for a single operator to take on all production in Northern Ireland. The union says that this is the best way to safeguard jobs, skills and the future of aerospace.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary: “It’s a disgrace that workers continue to fear for their livelihoods and their futures. Workers have been given no assurances since the takeover was announced. Unite’s commitment to defend our members’ jobs, pay and conditions is absolute. We will do everything necessary to ensure the Spirit workforce is protected.”

Unite has met with the first minister, the deputy first minister and the economy minister. All agree the best outcome is for the sites to transfer together to a single operator.

Regional secretary for Unite, Susan Fitzgerald said, “The Spirit workforce is being treated as collateral by corporate executives. That is not acceptable. Workforce reps cannot be locked out of decisions affecting their livelihoods. As a first step the CEOs of these aerospace companies need to meet with workers and worker reps in person. It is highly disappointing that the secretary of state Hilary Benn has not yet met with unions. The UK government must secure the future of aerospace in Northern Ireland.”