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WASHINGTON, March 3, 2022 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has reached out to Missouri politicians to ask for their support and assistance saving approximately 1,000 family-sustaining jobs at GKN Aerospace in Hazelwood, Mo.
The IAM wrote letters to U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley, as well U.S. Reps. Cori Bush, Ann Wagner, Sam Graves, Billy Long, and Vicky Hartzler to ask for their assistance in saving 600 IAM-represented manufacturing jobs and 400 support workers at the Hazelwood aerospace company.
Click here to read the letter.
GKN Aerospace recently announced plans to completely shut down this facility by the end of 2023, with layoffs commencing in mid-2022. Workers at the facility, many of whom are U.S. military veterans, have devoted their lives to proudly producing world-class aerospace components.
IAM Local 387 (District 837) members currently produce aircraft parts for a wide variety of U.S. Defense Department platforms, including the F-15, F-18A, CH-53, and Advanced Programs. The facility was previously owned by the Boeing Co., but was purchased by GKN in 2001. In 2018, GKN was purchased by British parent company Melrose Industries.
“The workers at this GKN facility in Hazelwood supply our men and women in uniform with precision aircraft parts needed to safely and effectively complete their mission of ensuring our national security,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr.“Together their finely tuned skills and undeniable dedication are a key piece of our domestic aerospace supply chain. If this facility is allowed to close and this highly skilled workforce is disassembled, it will be a huge loss to our domestic manufacturing capabilities, which would be very difficult and costly to recreate.”
“The manufacturing and support workers at the GKN facility are essential workers in the state of Missouri,” said IAM Midwest General Vice President Steve Galloway. “These proud workers are part of the fabric of the community and for generations have produced vital components to the Department of Defense programs. The IAM will fully commit all our resources to keep this facility open. I urge all elected officials and community allies to join us in our fight to defend these working families.”
“The working families of Hazelwood and the surrounding communities built this company,” said IAM District 837 President and Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “Generations of dedicated, hard-working workers and their families have worked at this facility for generations. We hope the entire community can join together to keep these good jobs in the St. Louis area.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airline, railroad, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking, health care, and other industries.
