Spirit AeroSystems to furlough 700 workers for 21 days

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Spirit AeroSystems will furlough 700 workers for 21 days.

The furlough comes as Boeing workers are still on strike. The strike started back on Sept. 13 .

The furloughs will start Oct. 28 and impact Spirit employees working on Boeing’s 767 and 777 widebody jet programs.

“This difficult step was necessary given our limited storage capacity for 767 and 777 units,” said Pat Shanahan, CEO of Spirit AeroSystems. “We recognize the impact this has on our valued teammates and their families, and we are committed to supporting them through this period.”

If the strike continues beyond November, the company says it will implement additional cost-saving measures, including layoffs and furloughs.

Here is a statement Spirit AeroSystems sent to KSN News:

Unfortunately, effective October 28, we will have to implement a 21-day furlough for approximately 700 employees working on the 767 and 777 programs. These furloughs are in combination with a series of other cost savings measures, including a hiring freeze and travel and overtime restrictions.

“The issue here is that we’ve built up a significant inventory buffer on the 767 and 777 programs and do not have room for additional storage.

“If the strike continues beyond November, financial pressures will require us to implement layoffs and additional furloughs.”

Joe Buccino, Spirit AeroSystems

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