Airframes bound for Boeing’s 737 Max production facility await shipment on a rail siding at top supplier Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc in Wichita, Kansas, U.S., on December 17, 2019.
Nick Oxford | Reuters
Boeing supplier Spirit Aerosystems A factory in Wichita, Kansas, shut down on Thursday after workers voted against a new labor agreement and backed the strike. Spirit builds the fuselage for the Boeing 737 Max and makes parts for other aerospace manufacturers, including Airbus.
“In light of today’s decision to strike by Spirit AeroSystems employees represented by the International Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union, Spirit will suspend factory production until the contract expires,” Spirit said.
The shutdown began on the first shift on Thursday, two days before workers’ contracts expire. The union said the strike was scheduled to begin after midnight on Saturday.
“IAM’s dedicated and hardworking members at Spirit AeroSystems have not failed to navigate turbulent times, including a pandemic that has brought everything to a standstill,” the union said in a statement. “Most of our members believe that the company’s The offer is unacceptable. IAM District 70 and Local 839 will regroup and begin planning the next steps to bring the company back to the negotiating table.”
Spirit shares were down about 8% in premarket trading, while Boeing shares were down nearly 3%.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and support our valued suppliers,” Boeing said in a statement.