Industrial action at DHL would paralyse production at Spirit sites in Northern Ireland

Unite the union which represents workers employed by DHL supply chain working at Spirit Aerosystems sites in Northern Ireland is calling on its members to vote for industrial action in an ongoing strike ballot. 

The ballot was initiated by the union after management offered the vast majority of its members a meagre four percent consolidated pay increase – alongside a one off cash payment. Unite officials branded the move a real-terms pay cut and encouraged workers to vote for industrial action as the only appropriate response.

Unite regional coordinating officer, Susan Fitzgerald encouraged union members at DHL Supply Chain at Spirit to vote for industrial action:

“Far from being a meaningful pay offer, this is little more than a threat to workers. Once you strip out the one-off cash inducement, bosses are demanding workers accept a real-terms pay cut of more than seven percent. With the cost of living crisis set to only worsen, our members need a fully consolidated pay increase that protects them and their families from poverty.”

DHL workers on Spirit sites handle every single part, from the rivets to the wings; they transport built parts between production lines and dispatch processed fuselage parts and to Spirit sites globally. 

“Bosses at DHL need to recognise that our members are serious about securing a respectful offer. It’s crazy that DHL’s actions can end up impacting operations at a key Northern Ireland manufacturer like Spirit. A strike here would have profound implications for both DHL supply chain and Spirit Aerosystems.

“Unite is calling on our members at DHL supply chains on the Spirit sites to vote yes for both strike action and industrial action short of strike action. Bosses need to wake up and start genuinely addressing the pay concerns of workers to avoid unnecessary and highly disruptive strike action.”

The ballot on industrial action will remain open until 4th August 2022.