Spirit Aerosystems to continue Boeing work in Wichita after 2-week suspension

Spirit AeroSystems says employees at its Wichita, McAlester, Okla. and and San Antonio sites affected by a two-week suspension of Boeing production work are instructed to return to work next Wednesday (April 8) "to support the restart of operations on the Boeing programs."

"During this time, we have taken a number of actions to ensure the safety of our employees including thorough and ongoing enhanced cleaning of workspaces, addition of signage to floors and work areas as reminders of social distancing expectations, closure of conference rooms, and implementing new seating arrangements in cafés. We have removed the need to clock in and out during this time, and employees should simply report directly to their work area each day," the company says.

Spirit says employees who can work from home, including those supporting Boeing programs, should continue to do so.

"Those who cannot work remotely will return to their designated site and program either on the evening on April 7 for 3rd shift or on April 8 for 1st and 2nd shifts. Any employees who have a general concern about their safety when returning to work should contact their manager or HR business partner prior to their scheduled return," the company says.

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Spirit Aerosystems says it is suspending work for Boeing that is performed here in Wichita. The suspension also includes facilities in Tulsa and McAlester, Oklahoma. The move comes after Boeing announced it was temporarily suspending production at its plant in Washington.

Spirit did not say how many employees this would impact, but the suspension begins on Wednesday, March 25 and will last two weeks, until April 8. The company says it will continue to pay employees who are sent home during the two-week period. Spirit says it will also use the time to further deep-clean and sanitize work spaces and facilities as they continue to protect against COVID 19.

The company says when production resumes on Boeing programs, they will align costs and workforce to the new level of production set by Boeing, which could potentially include "additional workforce actions."

Spirit will continue to support 787 work at Boeing's plant in Charleston, South Carolina.

Military, non-Boeing work and other growth programs will continue.