IAM International President Brian Bryant recently led a delegation of top IAM officials to meet with Local 839 and District 70 leadership to discuss the Boeing Co.’s upcoming acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems.
IAM Local 839 in Wichita, Kan. represents approximately 6,000 members at Spirit, a key supplier for Boeing aerostructures, including 737 fuselages. Boeing, the former parent company of Spirit, announced in July 2024 that it had entered into an agreement to reacquire Spirit. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2025.
“The IAM Union is completely united in ensuring that our Local 839 membership at Spirit AeroSystems benefits from this upcoming acquisition,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “We had great discussions with leaders at Local 839 and District 70 leaders about how to protect our membership throughout this process and make sure that Boeing fulfills its obligations to our members and the community.”
In June 2023, IAM members at Spirit ratified a four-year contract that included improvements in wages, prescription drug coverage and overtime rules.
“Our membership is watching the company’s actions closely as we move toward Boeing’s reacquisition of Spirit,” said IAM District 70 President and Directing Business Representative Lisa Whitley. “We look forward to working at all levels of our union to engage our members, while maintaining and growing the quality of life for our dedicated membership at Spirit.”
In addition to Boeing and Spirit, the IAM is proud to represent workers at Lockheed Martin, Pratt and Whitney, GE Aerospace, and other major aerospace companies.
“Our Local 839 membership at Spirit AeroSystems are leaders not only in the Wichita community, but in the entire aerospace industry,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “We will use all IAM resources necessary to make sure we continue to grow Wichita’s reputation as the ‘air capital of the world.’”
“As the largest and most powerful aerospace union in North America, the IAM is laser-focused on continuing to make gains for all aerospace workers,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. “We will stop at nothing to ensure that the generational, skilled workers at Spirit are protected throughout this acquisition.”
The post IAM Union Leadership Meets with Wichita District 70, Local 839 Officials to Plan for Boeing’s Upcoming Acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems appeared first on IAMAW.