Over 200 May Be Let Go In Cost-Cutting Move

Workers in Boeing's Information Technology group in Washington State are facing layoffs in July, according to the Chicago-based planemaker.

Reuters reports that Boeing has notified the state of Washington that it plans to idle 211 workers in the group that includes its IT operations in Washington State. The layoffs will come July 22, according to the company. Eleven IT workers in Texas are also slated for layoffs.

Boeing says the layoffs are part of a plan to reduce overall costs. The company if facing stiff competition from rival Airbus, and it hopes to expand its profit margins into the mid-teens by 2019. In the first quarter of 2016, Boeing showed a profit of 7.9 percent, according to the report.

Boeing spokeswoman Lauren McFarland said the company has about 6,500 IT workers. The positions slated to be cut include both management and non-management workers.

Separately, Boeing is looking to shed up to 8,000 employees by the end of the year using a program of voluntary layoffs and attrition.

FMI: www.boeing.com