Mesh fences, mobile headquarters go up as Machinists, Spirit AeroSystems prep for strike

Both Spirit AeroSystems and the Machinists union began preparing for a strike Thursday.

Spirit erected mesh netting around its southeast Wichita campus. The union set up a mobile strike headquarters at K-15 and MacArthur.

The strike is scheduled to begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday following a Wednesday vote where union members overwhelmingly rejected a four-year contract with the city’s largest employer.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers negotiating committee that unanimously recommended the contract proposal for approval last week has begun polling members to determine which specific provisions they want to see enhanced.

“The bottom line is, our membership spoke. We respect their decision, and we will try to determine what we need to do to get a contract ratified with Spirit,” said Rickey Wallace, IAM’s general vice president of the southern territory.

Spirit, which announced late Wednesday that it would suspend production before the current contract expires, had no new updates to provide Thursday.

“We know that no one wins in a work stoppage; however, we respect the rights of our represented employees,” the company said Wednesday. “Despite this setback, we are not distracted from the task at hand. We look forward to continued meetings with IAM leadership.”

At the request of both Spirit and IAM, a federal mediator has been assigned to oversee negotiations, but a timeline for reconvening has not yet been established.

“We hope to get back to the bargaining table within the next few days,” Wallace said.

He said the local lodge has been preparing for a potential strike for months.

“There will be picket lines set up at each entrance of the facility,” Wallace said. “We intend, our members will conduct themselves in a professional manner, in a peaceful manner, and we’ll be on strike.”

At the close of markets Thursday, Spirit stock was down 9.3%.

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple, who is in Paris, France, attending an airshow with a local delegation that included Spirit executives, said in a statement that he has been in communication with representatives from the company and the union.

“I know that both sides are committed to getting back to the table and making a deal that addresses the needs of the employees so they feel valued,” Whipple said.

“Global companies know that we have the best advanced manufacturing workforce in the world. As mayor, my focus is bringing both sides together to find a contract that works for everyone so folks can get back to work.”

In a Thursday Facebook post, District 1 City Council member Brandon Johnson called on residents to support the striking workers.

“Thousands of our fellow Wichitans have chosen to reject one contract offer from Spirit AeroSystems and strike until they receive what they feel is a better offer that meets the needs they have in this new environment,” Johnson said. “I would hope we as a community can rally around them and their families during this time. It is always difficult when you speak or stand up for yourself and it can have a negative impact on family when you feel you deserve better than you are currently getting.

“Many of these individuals or their immediate families may be struggling today wondering what may happen next. Sending a message of support can also go a long way to helping. Unions do the hard and stressful work that provide so many benefits to all employees, even the ones who have chosen not to join (You should join). Sometimes that work looks like a strike, and sometimes it looks like sitting at the table together to understand that the employees are the backbone of any business and that has to be recognized.”