UPDATE 6/22/2023:
Officials with Spirit Aerosystems confirms a federal mediator has been assigned to work with the company and IAM on the next round of negotiations.
The announcement was made Thursday, and follows Wednesday’s IAM Local 839, District 70 vote to reject Spirit’s contract proposal, along with a approval of a strike. The strike is still slated to begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 24th.
Spirit has suspended production prior to Friday’s expiration of its current contract with IAM, and ahead of the expected strike.
_______________________________
Aircraft workers that are part of International Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 70 and Local 839 rejected a new contract offer from Spirit Aerosystems and are moving forward plans to strike.
The union represents about 6,000 machinists at Spirit, producing 70% of Boeing’s narrow-body aircraft and defense and business jet structures.
Union members met at Hartman Arena Wednesday, June 21st to vote on the offer. Voting closed at 4 p.m. with 79% of union members voting “no” to the proposed contract, while 85% voted to strike.
Spirit had said that the contract was their “best and final offer.” The company’s current contract with the IAM/IAMAW expires Friday.
Spirit’s proposal included a guaranteed 16% pay increase over the course of the contract, which could have added up to 34% when including other factors. The contract would have continued the “core and enhanced” health insurance plans. Additionally, it offered voluntary Sunday overtime work, nearly a 15% increase in retirement benefits, increased paid time off and a one-time $7,500 ratification bonus if the contract was approved on the initial vote.
Union members expressed that the offer did live up to what they expected, and confirmed that a strike is scheduled to start at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 24th and will continue indefinitely.
In a statement issued late Wednesday evening, IAM members said:
“The IAM’s dedicated and hardworking membership at Spirit AeroSystems has worked without fail during tumultuous times, including a pandemic that saw everything grind to a halt. Most of our members have concluded that the company’s offer is unacceptable. IAM District 70 and Local 839 will regroup and begin planning the following steps to bring the company back to the table.”
Spirit issued the following statement in response:
“We are disappointed that our employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Wichita have rejected our four-year contract offer and have voted to strike. We believe that our fair and competitive offer recognizes the contributions of our employees and ensures we can successfully meet increasing demand for aircraft from our customers. We know that no one wins in a work stoppage; however, we respect the rights of our represented employees. Despite this setback, we are not distracted from the task at hand. We look forward to continued meetings with IAM leadership.”
Lastly, Spirit officials announced the company is suspending production ahead of the strike and contract expiration:
“In light of the decision by Spirit IAM-represented employees to strike, Spirit will suspend factory production prior to the expiration of the contract. Beginning with start of first shift on Thursday, June 22, all IAM-represented employees are not to report for work but will receive pay for their regularly scheduled work hours. All scheduled overtime is canceled. All employees not represented by the IAM should report to work as usual on Thursday.“
