LOCAL
Spirit AeroSystems to lay off up to 450

by: Laura McMillan, Jackie Elson, Derek Lytle, Carina Branson
Posted: May 16, 2024 / 12:27 PM CDT
Updated: May 16, 2024 / 06:59 PM CDT

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Spirit AeroSystems is notifying its Wichita workforce that layoffs are coming. In an internal memo a worker shared with KSN, the company said it has “made the difficult decision” to reduce the hourly production workforce “by approximately 400-450 employees.” ... A Spirit spokesperson would not release the numbers. ... “The recent slowdown in the delivery rate on commercial programs compels a reduction to our workforce in Wichita,” Joe Buccino said. “In the coming weeks, we will inform affected employees. We are committed to implementing this transition in as compassionate a manner as possible.”

The internal memo is addressed to the Wichita hourly production teams. It also says the layoffs are due to high inventory levels. ... “We must slow down our operations to align our workforce with the needs of our customers,” the message says. ... Workers who are affected may not know right away. Managers will contact workers in the coming weeks to provide specific instructions on the exit process. ... “These decisions are difficult and sensitive. We sincerely appreciate your contributions and thank you for your understanding and resilience during this period of adjustment,” the company said. ... KSN reached out to the Local Lodge 839 Machinist Union. At this time, they do not know how many union employees will be affected by these layoffs.

Local leaders react

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said the focus now needs to be on the workers. ... “Our community needs to come together to help support a lot of families and employees who will be affected by this; I also know as a community, we are rallying behind job opportunities,” said Mayor Wu.

Sedgwick County Commissioner Jim Howell said Wichita has seen an aviation roller-coaster for decades but says Spirit has been an extremely stable employer, not seeing a layoff like this in quite some time. He says it is a challenging day for those employees getting the news that they will be laid off by Spirit. ... “Very difficult news today to hear this. This community will have an impact because every one of these jobs has three to four, maybe even some cases, five jobs in the community that are impacted by the flowing of those dollars through the economy, so it’s going to have a ripple effect,” said Howell. ... He says while laid-off employees have other options locally like Textron Aviation offering similar positions in metal work and small parts fabrication, Wichita may lose a good portion of these workers to other states like California, North Carolina, and Georgia.

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