In This Article:
Concerns are mounting for 2,700 jobs at Northern Ireland’s largest private employer amid uncertainty over a takeover deal.
The Unite union said it is fearful for roles at Spirit Aerosystems’ factory in Belfast, which makes aircraft wings, as the company struggles to sell the parts of the site that are unwanted by Airbus, the prospective purchaser.
It comes after Spirit was unable to offer a prospect of a deal in a meeting before Christmas.
Pessimism deepened after Airbus said on Thursday that approaches had been received for a second plant in Prestwick in South Ayrshire, Scotland, while giving no update on the Belfast facility.
Spirit’s Belfast footprint spans six sites, including some located in the Catholic west of the city regarded as integral to the Northern Ireland peace process.
The main factory, sandwiched between Belfast City Airport and the docks, was built by Short Brothers in 1936 and produced Second World War aircraft including the Stirling bomber and Sunderland flying boat.
The future of the Ulster plant was thrown into doubt when Boeing last year announced a takeover of Spirit after one of the manufacturer’s Malaysian plants was blamed for producing a faulty door plug that blew out of a 737 Max jet at 16,000 feet 12 months ago, resulting in a near tragedy.
As part of the deal, Airbus agreed to take on part of the Belfast plant that makes wings for its own A220 regional plane, while stating that Spirit would seek to sell the rest of the complex, together with the Prestwick site.
However, with no deal in sight and Boeing set to complete its purchase of Spirit by mid-year, Unite said it is concerned the Belfast plant will become the “collateral damage” of corporate decisions taken behind closed doors.
George Brash, of Unite, said: “This is putting thousands of highly skilled jobs in working class communities at risk. People are fearful for their livelihoods and there’s been absolutely no assurances since the takeover was announced.
“Kier Starmer said a few weeks ago that he would back aerospace and protect UK jobs, skills and production. Yet Spirit in Belfast has been left languishing while up the road we’re seeing a rescue of Harland & Wolff by a state-owned Spanish company.”
Mr Brash appealed to Airbus, which has large aerostructures businesses in France and Germany, to reconsider taking over the whole of the Belfast complex, which employs a total of 3,800 people and is Northern Ireland’s largest manufacturer.
The operation not wanted by Airbus produces components including casings for Rolls-Royce engines and parts for Bombardier business jets.