The aircraft manufacturer Boeing has sent the first layoff notifications as part of the plan to reduce its global workforce by 10%, which concerns nearly 2,200 people in the state of Washington (northwest) alone.
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American companies must send so-called WARN (Worker adjustment and retraining notification) declarations to local authorities sixty days before any dismissal.
The group, plagued by production quality problems and which has just suffered a strike of more than 50 days which paralyzed two crucial factories, announced on October 12 its intention to reduce its global workforce by 10% in the coming months. , without further details.
As of December 31, 2023, it employed 170,688 people.
According to a document made public Monday by the Washington State Employment Security Service, the American aircraft manufacturer has decided to lay off 2,199 people starting December 20.
As of December 31, 2023, it employed 66,797 people in this state where it was founded in July 1926 and where the assembly lines for the 737 are located in Renton – its best-selling aircraft -, the 777, the 767 and of several military programs in Everett.
These two factories, located near Seattle, were blocked by the strike of more than 33,000 members of the local branch of the machinists’ union (IAM) in the context of negotiations for the new social agreement.
“As previously announced, we are adjusting the level of our workforce to align with our financial reality and our new priorities,” the group told AFP.
According to Boeing, most employees receiving layoff notices this week will leave Boeing in mid-January, with benefits and health insurance for three months.
Furthermore, according to WARN statements published during the day on Monday, the aeronautics giant intends to lay off 50 employees in Oregon (workforce of 1,282 people at the end of 2023) and 63 in Colorado (workforce of 1,574 people end of 2023).
In South Carolina (nearly 7,900 employees at the end of 2023), where the 787 Dreamliner factory is located, 220 people will lose their jobs as of January 17.
No details were yet available regarding three states where the group is very present: Missouri (nearly 17,000 employees), California (14,400) and Texas (nearly 7,100).
The engineers’ union SPEEA (Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace) was warned Thursday evening that 438 of its members would be laid off, according to a spokesperson.
It has more than 19,000 members in the United States, including approximately 16,500 working at Boeing (Washington, Oregon, California and Utah).
