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| Spirit AeroSystem’s Workers, Wichita, Kan. Photo: Spirit AeroSystem’s |
[Avionics Today 08-08-2014] The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) plans to file a lawsuit against Spirit AeroSystems over the company’s plans to outsource IAM-represented jobs by selling a key fabrication operation and the use of outside contractors. The IAM will request a federal district court to issue an injunction prohibiting Spirit from selling the fabrication unit or outsourcing any union jobs pending arbitration of the dispute.
Using the misnomer “insourcing,” Spirit’s sale of its fabrication unit, a major manufacturing operation, alongside plans to use outside contractor employees in other support functions will displace IAM-represented workers. The union alleges this is a breach of the IAM-Spirit AeroSystems agreement.
Spirit employees in Wichita build fuselage sections for all current Boeing programs, including the 787, as well as components for the Bombardier C-Series and the Mitsubishi Regional Jet.