Amidst recent and increasing speculation, Spirit workforce need guarantees for their future

Unite has challenged the government to intervene and secure clarity and guarantees for workers employed at Spirit Aerosystems in Northern Ireland. The call follows mounting press speculation over who is going to take on non-Airbus operations as part of the wider acquisition of the company by Boeing.

Airbus has publicly indicated its interest in taking on wing production lines for its A220 aircraft – in which 1,100 workers are employed. As yet there is no clarity on who is to take on the non-Airbus operations in which more than 2,600 workers are employed by Spirit in Northern Ireland.

General secretary of Unite, Sharon Graham said, “All Spirit workers especially those employed on non-Airbus lines need assurances about their futures. No one in government should be sitting back and allowing the break up of this company. That would inevitably result in huge damage to Northern Ireland’s aerospace sector.”

George Brash, Unite regional officer said, “All Spirit operations must transfer together to a single entity. That is the only option that secures these highly skilled jobs and the manufacturing capacity for the long-term.”