Will Cut As Many As 4,000 Jobs Through Mid-Year

Boeing's is following through on its announced plans to reduce its workforce by as many as 4,000 jobs, including hundreds of executives and managers, by mid-year.

Geekwire reports that Boeing spokesman Doug Alder said in an email that there have been no involuntary layoffs so far, but it may come to that as a "last resort" as the company adjusts its workforce in an effort to stay competitive with Airbus.

And the company may not be through with its workforce reduction at 4,000 positions. The Seattle Times quoted sources that said the restructuring could cost up to 8,000 Boeing workers their jobs by the end of 2016.

Alder told Geekwire that there is no specific target for the number of jobs to be cut. He said if costs can be controlled in other areas some jobs could be saved. So far, he said, the company has been able to reduce its staffing levels through attrition as employees retire or leave for other jobs, with open positions going unfilled for the time being.

Boeing is also adjusting its production lines to trim back production of the 747 and 777 due largely to a slower-than-expected recovery in the carto sector. But at the same time, it is boosting production of the 737 and preparing for the introduction of the 737 MAX. Production of Dreamliners is also continuing to accelerate.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.boeing.com