Union questions Boeing’s Spirit Aerosystems acquisition
A union in the UK has raised “serious concerns” about Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit Aerosystems.
The Unite union is seeking assurances that the purchase will proceed with Airbus acquiring all…
June 23, 2024
A union in the UK has raised “serious concerns” about Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit Aerosystems.
The Unite union is seeking assurances that the purchase will proceed with Airbus acquiring all those parts of the business which fall into its supply chain – keeping Belfast and Prestwick manufacturing operations intact with no loss of jobs.
The union added it has already raised its concerns about the future of the Spirit workforce at the highest levels.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The livelihoods of workers must not be put at risk as corporate giants carve up the future of this company. It is vital that all workers are quickly given cast iron guarantees over their futures.
“Unite will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the future of this highly skilled and dedicated workforce at Spirit is fully protected.”
Spirit Aerosystems (formerly Bombardier and Shorts) is one of Northern Ireland’s biggest companies employing approximately 3,600 workers across its sites.
Unite estimates that a further 7,000 jobs in Northern Ireland, are dependent on Spirit’s activities.
While most of Spirit’s production in Northern Ireland is for Airbus, approximately 40 per cent of jobs are tied to lines for other air manufacturers including Bombardier and Rolls Royce.
There are approximately 1,000 workers employed at the company’s factory in Prestwick and Unite is demanding the same assurances over their futures.
Any deal in which production lines or sites in the Airbus supply chain transfer to Airbus but non-Airbus production transfers to Boeing or a third-party poses a clear concern for jobs.
Unite is concerned that a break-up would undermine wider economies of scale and raise a longer-term threat to all operations.
Unite’s regional co-ordinating officer George Brash said: “All Spirit’s operations in Northern Ireland must transfer together – so that our members’ jobs are secure and the aerospace manufacturing base is safeguarded.
