Boeing is preparing to lay off over 2,000 workers in Washington and Oregon. This move is part of a global workforce reduction affecting 17,000 jobs, or 10% of the company’s employees. Boeing revealed the layoffs in a filing with Washington State’s Employment Security Department, indicating the cuts will take effect on December 20.
Washington will see 2,199 employees impacted, according to the state’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) database. The layoffs include 438 members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA). Among them are 218 engineers and 220 technicians, as reported by Reuters.
Boeing’s 10% Global Workforce Reduction
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg announced plans in October to cut 10% of the global workforce over several months. The reductions will involve executives, managers, and employees at all levels.
“Over the coming months, we are planning to reduce the size of our total workforce by roughly 10 percent,” Ortberg said. He emphasized that tough actions are necessary for the company’s recovery and future stability.
These workforce reductions reflect broader efforts to streamline operations. Boeing aims to stabilize its business amid ongoing challenges in the aerospace sector.
Strikes, Safety Concerns Add to Boeing’s Difficult Year
This announcement follows a challenging year for Boeing, including labor disruptions and safety issues. In October, Seattle-area workers staged their first strike in 16 years. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) walked off the job but returned on November 4 after reaching a new agreement. Many striking workers may now face layoffs.
Safety concerns have compounded Boeing’s struggles. In September, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) warned about potential rudder control system failures in Boeing 737 planes during cold weather.
Amid these difficulties, Boeing’s layoffs are part of a larger plan to stabilize operations and position the company for recovery. The challenges highlight the broader pressures facing the aerospace industry in a post-pandemic world.