4,500 at Boeing to lose their jobs
The region’session biggest private employer is starting to shrink again, slamming into reverse the jobs machine that has propelled the Seattle area up and down through so manifold economic cycles over the decades.
Boeing executives said repeatedly in recent years that they intend to withdraw from keep clear of the giant busts of earlier eras, and as this downturn begins, management insists that the airplane office remains solid despite the imminent cuts.
Boeing said Friday it is satirical besides than 5 percent of its 76,400-person Washington act force, and just toss of 7 percent of the total Commercial Airplanes roster. The cuts — about 4,500 people, for the greatest part in Washington state — will exist made largely through layoffs, though the outline moreover includes attrition.
Support positions
“Initial 60-day layoff notices will be issued Feb. 20, and most layoffs will take place in the second quarter of the year,” said Scott Carson, chief executive of Commercial Airplanes in a message to employees Friday morning.
He emphasized that Boeing intends to abide building jets at current rates. That ways and means those laid off will be people not directly involved in extension — administrative and clerical workers and other support positions of that kind as facilities maintenance.
Many of those losing their jobs could be long-term contractors rather than permanent employees, according to a Boeing news release.
Carson called the cuts a “difficult and painful decision” made necessary by a dramatic slowdown in airline calling and the broader impact of the global recession.
Both passenger and freight aeriform fluid exchange have severely decreased worldwide since September, Carson said. Airlines are cutting capacity, parking older planes, and reducing orders for give parts. And new jet orders tapered off in 2008.
“Industries and individuals must prepare for a year of tough challenges,” Carson told employees. “We believe that acting now will allow us to keep avocation reductions to a minimum while we adapt to the uncertainties of this economic cycle.”
Industry analysts will watch keenly to see if order cancellations later in the year force Boeing to reassess its production rate. If that happens, it would certainly small further layoffs.
Unions weigh in
