Skip to content

Spirit workers urge UK government to secure jobs

BBC A group of protesters, stood outside Westminster, holding red GMB union banners that say "Keir Starmer act now! Save NI Aerospace keep shorts together... We're stronger together, save NI aerospace"BBC
A Spirit Aerospace delegation travelled to Westminster to lobby politicians on the future of the aerospace industry

Spirit Aerosystems workers and union officials met with Westminster politicians on Wednesday to try to secure the future of the aerospace sector in Northern Ireland.

It comes days after Airbus finalised a deal to take over part of the Spirit AeroSystems operation in Belfast.

The deal was first announced in July last year as part of a wider break up of the Spirit business.

Spirit is Northern Ireland's most significant manufacturing employer, with about 3,500 staff but there is uncertainty for the non-Airbus parts of the Belfast business, with Spirit saying it will sell them separately.

A group of protesters, stood outside Westminster, holding red GMB union banners that say "Keir Starmer act now! Save NI Aerospace keep shorts together... We're stronger together, save NI aerospace"
The trip comes days after Airbus finalised a deal to take over part of the Spirit AeroSystems operation in Belfast

Susan Fitzgerald from Unite said that "clarity" is needed for all employees but especially those working in non-Airbus sections of the business.

She accused the UK government of not having "done enough" to impact a different outcome and ensure the company isn't broken up.

Fitzgerald rejected the government's response that the matter is "commercial" and therefore it can't interfere.

A bald man in a striped blue and white shirt, wearing glasses, stood in front of protesters holding a red banner
Alan Perry from GMB union said it was vital politicians acted to protect jobs

Speaking outside the Houses of Parliament, Alan Perry from GMB union said it was "vital" politicians with influence within the British government "act upon the situation."

"The aerospace industry in Northern Ireland is worth over £10 million to the Northern Ireland economy, over 3,500 workers work there, the factory has been there for over 135 years, this is clearly something we are not prepared to let go off without a fight," he added.