NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS
Spirit AeroSystems and District 70, Local Lodge 839 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) are scheduled to begin contract negotiations in May. The current contract expires on Friday, June 23, 2023.
The Negotiations Process
- During negotiations, Spirit and the IAM will meet on a regular basis to negotiate in good faith toward a new agreement.
- Topics of negotiations may include any or all of your wages, hours, and/or terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to safety, wages, health care, benefits, and retirement, and/or other lawful topics of negotiation.
- The goal is to reach an agreement that benefits both parties – positioning our people, our community, and our company for success.
- Spirit is committed to negotiating in good faith. If an agreement is reached by the Spirit and IAM negotiation teams, then that tentative agreement must be ratified by a vote of union members.
- If union members vote in favor of ratifying the contract (50% + 1 vote of approval), it takes effect and work continues as normal under the new contract.
- If an agreement is not reached by the Spirit and IAM negotiations teams, or union members vote against ratification of the tentative contract and the contract expires, then the union members may elect to strike with a two-thirds majority vote.
Negotiations are very important, and we understand how they could become a distraction, so we appreciate your hard work and continued commitment to keeping our operations running safely and reliably during this important process.
Timeline
- March 29, 2023: IAM strike sanction vote
- May 2023: Spirit AeroSystems and IAM begin to negotiate
- June 23, 2023: Current IAM contract expires
FAQs
When does the current contract between Spirit AeroSystems and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) expire?
The current contract expires on Friday, June 23, 2023.
When do negotiations begin between Spirit AeroSystems and the IAM?
Spirit AeroSystems and District 70, Local Lodge 839 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) are scheduled to begin contract negotiations in May.
What happens during the negotiations process?
During this process, Spirit and the IAM meet on a regular basis to identify issues, share perspectives, and propose solutions with a goal of reaching an agreement that benefits both parties – positioning our people and our company for success.
Negotiations can be a distraction, and we appreciate your hard work and continued commitment to keeping our operations running safely and reliably.
What facilities are covered by the contract?
The contract that will be negotiated covers our Wichita manufacturing facilities.
When was the last contract negotiated?
The 10-year contract was originally negotiated in June 2010. A three-year extension of this contract was approved by IAM members in January 2020.
Our contract must protect the future for our employees and company. If the terms of the contract are partial to one party, there will be consequences down the road. A contract that hurts our employees will ultimately hurt our operations, and vice versa.
When should we expect updates from the bargaining table?
Our intention is to bargain in good faith with the IAM. Part of bargaining in good faith is refraining from discussing Spirit or IAM proposals until after we have had an opportunity to discuss them directly at the negotiating table. Spirit may provide updates on the status of proposals later in the process, but only after we have first discussed those proposals directly with the IAM.
How can I participate in the collective bargaining process?
Check this page for up-to-date information on the company’s proposal. Please reach out to your union representative regarding any concerns you may have.