Jessica O'ConnorUnite the union has raised concerns over the future of Spirit Aerosystems’ operations in Northern Ireland, warning that a potential break-up of the company could jeopardise thousands of jobs and the broader aerospace sector in the region.
In a move prompted by Boeing’s global acquisition of Spirit Aerosystems and Airbus’s selective interest in certain production lines, Unite wrote to Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds MP and Minister of State Sarah Jones MP requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the path forward.
Spirit Aerosystems operates five sites in Northern Ireland and employs over 3,700 people.
The union warned that the separation of production lines under different ownership structures could lead to the loss of economies of scale, increased fragmentation, and long-term instability in one of the UK’s key advanced manufacturing sectors.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, 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.”
Susan Fitzgerald, regional secretary for Ireland at Unite, added: “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.”
Unite called on ministers to engage directly in discussions to prevent a break-up of operations and to ensure a sustainable solution that maintains employment, skills, and the aerospace manufacturing base in Northern Ireland.
