Unite warns Spirit break-up would threaten NI aerospace sector

Union seeks urgent meeting with business and trade ministers to chart way forward

Unite has written to both secretary of state Jonathan Reynolds MP and minister of state for business Sarah Jones MP seeking an urgent meeting over the future of Spirit Aerosystems. Over 3,700 workers at the company’s five sites in Northern Ireland face growing uncertainty following the Boeing takeover of Spirit globally.

The decision by Airbus to take on only those production lines in its own supply chain threatens an immediate break-up of the company. A loss of economies of scale and the fragmenting of production lines that poses a risk to the long-term future of aerospace in Northern Ireland and the highly skilled jobs in the sector.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “The workforce of Shorts and later Spirit Aerosystems in Belfast, has been an essential asset for the UK aerospace sector for over 100 years. Keeping these workers and their skills together in one place is vital for the future of the industry in Northern Ireland and the UK.

The government now needs to step up to the plate and make sure that is what happens. Potential buyers must not be allowed to break up the site and instead should be working on a joint venture that will protect jobs and safeguard the future of the aerospace sector in Northern Ireland.

Other potential buyers of Spirit’s operations include Canadian aerospace company Bombardier.

Unite regional secretary Susan Fitzgerald said, “The UK government has a crucial role to play in ensuring both Airbus and Bombardier cooperate to deliver an outcome that secures the future of production. The best outcome would keep the company together via a single entity in the form of a joint venture, potentially using the existing Short Brothers company as the overarching structure. That would be the best way to ensure the long-term future of the company and all sites.

“This is one of the oldest aircraft manufacturers in the world and the UK government now has a crucial role in ensuring its long-term future.”