In the latest move to deal with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Boeing’s 737MAX issues, more than 900 SPEEA-represented employees in the Wichita Engineering Unit (WEU) and 1,400 in the Wichita Technical and Professional Unit (WTPU) can now consider taking a voluntary layoff from the company. The offer is not available to employees working defense programs.

SPEEA contract administrators are advising employees to read the entire VLO package and consider their options carefully while deciding to take the company’s offer.

Contract Administrators have requested additional information from Spirit regarding the offers, how they will be processed and what the criteria is for approval. Employees have until 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 5 to submit their request for VLO.
Among the most important items for members to remember when considering a VLO:

- Medical benefit ended May 31

- Required to waive recall rights

- Income continuation is based on years of service:

Wichita Engineering Unit Years of Service Income Continues 1 to 10 years 8 weeks 10 or more years 10 weeks

Wichita Technical & Professional Unit Years of Service Income Continues 1 to 5 years 6 weeks 5 to 8 years 8 weeks 8 or more 12 weeks

The Spirit WEU Frequently Asked Questions and Spirit WTPU Frequently Asked Questions can answer many of your questions.
Additional information is being prepared. Watch your email and the SPEEA website for updates.

With SPEEA-represented employees starting a four-day workweek on April 10, SPEEA is working with the company and carefully monitoring the situation to ensure our contracts are followed. 

The shortened week brings with it a corresponding 20% impact on salaries. As was the case last summer, employees on military and defense programs are not impacted. 

Spirit emphasized the shortened week is temporary and necessary due to the COVID-19 crisis. The company said this warrants the use of the Exceptions to Foregoing Procedures (Section 7.7). Use of this section is only allowed one time during the duration of the contract. Last summer’s four-day workweek used Shortened Workweek (Section 7.6). SPEEA contracts restrict the company from using Shortened Workweek to one time in a 12-month period. See contracts

Spirit said employees have the flexibility to take either Monday or Friday off during the workweek. Other options require management approval.

SPEEA and Spirit are in contact with the Kansas Department of Labor regarding the use of partial unemployment benefits to help make up for the lost work hours. Watch for additional communication when an answer is received. 

Monitoring

SPEEA will monitor the implementation of the shortened workweek and its impact on represented employees to ensure compliance with our contracts and agreements with Spirit. 

Due to the state shutdown in Kansas, the Wichita SPEEA office is closed. SPEEA staff are working from home and are accessible by email at speea@speea.org or by calling the office at: SPEEA Wichita – 316-682-0262.

The Kansas Department of Labor, the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Department for Children and Families are partnering to ensure that workers affected by the recent Boeing 737 MAX production halt, including workers for supply chain contractors and suppliers to the aviation industry, have a seamless transition to services that will provide a bridge until production begins again or other employment is found. In light of this, below is a list of available resources for businesses and/or employees that could be facing furloughs, layoffs or other reductions in workforce.

https://www.dol.ks.gov/AviationWorkerResponse

Laid-off Workers Assistance - http://www.unitedwayplains.org/laid-off-workers-assistance

Contact 2-1-1 for Information - United Way 211 can connect you to a wide range of resources and services across the community. Find help for needs such as food, health care, financial counseling, childcare and much more.