Machinist union members began picketing Saturday outside the Spirit AeroSystems plant in southeast Wichita as a new round of negotiations began on a new contract.
Union members rejected a proposed contract and authorized a strike on June 21st and the strike officially began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 70 Local 839 issue a statement saying its negotiating committee met with Spirit officials and a federal mediator to begin negotiations. The statement went on to say:
“The Committee has been working hard to negotiate a fair and equitable contract that reflects the contributions of our members. Our goal is to bring a final and best offer to our membership for a vote.”
In the meantime, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents and motorists who are not employees of Spirit AeroSystems to avoid the plant area, starting Monday, June 26th. The areas to avoid are Oliver from 31st Street South to 47th Street South and K-15 from 31st Street South to 47th Street South.
