WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Spirit AeroSystems sent some employees notices about voluntary layoffs, citing the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and the grounding of the 737 Max.
The five-page notice that went out Friday says both reduced overall demand for new commercial airplanes, and that as a result, “production rates for commercial aircraft have fallen from historic highs to much lower volumes,” the Wichita Eagle reported.
The notice says there is “no expectation for a quick recovery.”
It is unclear how many employees are affected.
The layoff is available to employees represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) under its Wichita Technical and Professional Unit in “certain commercial” jobs. A separate notice also offered voluntary layoffs to employees represented by SPEEA’s engineering unit.
The voluntary layoffs were also open to managers, excluding those dedicated to the defense program, according to Spirit spokesperson Keturah Austin.
The announcement follows months of layoffs and furloughs in the aviation industry.
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This story was first published on July 19, 2020. It was updated on July 21, 2020, to make clear that that the voluntary layoffs were offered workers represented by SPEEA in both its technical and professional unit and its engineering unit.
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