Gov. Laura Kelly today announced the state government would coordinate efforts of state agencies in a response to planned layoffs of 2,800 employees at the Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita.
Kansas Labor Secretary Delia Garcia was directed to coordinate the state’s available resources for affected workers and businesses. Garcia will lead the coordinated response from state agencies. The state will work closely with local and federal agencies, according to the announcement.
Kelly pledged “every available resource,” with an emphasis on long-term support, to assist the workers and the Kansas businesses affected.
In Washington, U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, and Rep. Ron Estes, R-4th Dist., released a statement on the Spirit AeroSystems layoffs.
“While these furloughs will affect a large part of the aerospace workforce in Wichita, I know the community is prepared to assist in every way possible,” Sen. Roberts said. “Wichita is the Air Capital of the World, and I am committed to making sure that does not change.”
“I have had numerous discussions with the Trump administration, the FAA, the governor, Boeing and other stakeholders about the impact these furloughs will have on employees at Spirit and various other industry suppliers throughout our region. I will continue to work with the FAA to ensure grounded aircraft causing these furloughs can safely return to the skies without any unnecessary delays,” Rep. Estes said. “In the meantime, my office in Wichita is available to help connect furloughed employees with the Department of Labor and other resources. I am fully confident that thanks to our skilled workforce and industry partners, our region will remain the Air Capital of the World.”
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., released a statement on the announcement of the layoffs and the news about Boeing’s messages.
“The newly released messages from Boeing employees are incredibly disturbing and show a coordinated effort inside the company to deceive the American public and federal regulators, who are in place to keep passengers safe. It’s further proof that Boeing put profit over safety in the development of the 737 MAX. My thoughts remain with the families of the 346 victims during this difficult time.
“As a member of the Transportation Committee, and as vice chair of the Aviation Subcommittee, I’ve been working to conduct rigorous oversight of Boeing as part of the committee’s investigation into the design, development and certification of the 737 MAX. It’s unacceptable that it has taken 10 months of investigations for Boeing to turn over these messages, which are essential to understanding what happened with the MAX. We will continue to push forward with our investigation so we can ensure accountability and most importantly the safety of the flying public.”
“In addition to the public safety concerns these messages raise, Boeing’s callousness has now cost thousands of Kansans their livelihood and endangered the economy of our state, which is dependent on aerospace. Kansas will continue to be an aerospace and technology leader, despite the harmful impacts of Boeing leadership’s reckless decision making.”
For more information on the committee’s ongoing investigation into the Boeing 737 MAX, visit https://transportation.house.gov/committee-activity/boeing-737-max-investigation.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, also released a statement on the layoffs:
“Wichita would not be the Air Capital of the World without the extraordinary engineers, designers and manufacturers who have invested in our aviation industry and made Wichita their home. The layoffs announced today at Spirit AeroSystems have dealt a harsh blow not only to the company but also to Spirit suppliers and subcontractors. This week, I had conversations with both the incoming CEO at Boeing and the FAA Administrator to encourage them to work together and do everything necessary to get the 737 MAX safely back in the air. I will work with business leaders and Administration officials to do everything possible to see that this is a short-term impact to the aviation and aerospace industry in Wichita.
“In addition, I have spoken directly with President Trump and Vice President Pence regarding the impact the layoffs will have in Kansas and throughout the aviation and aerospace industry. I plan to continue working with the Administration and Department of Defense to showcase the capabilities of Wichita manufacturers in an effort to diversify the industry and bring more job opportunities to the region.”