Boeing Commercial Airplanes Employment to Decline in 2009
SEATTLE, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) said today
that employment at its Commercial Airplanes business unit is expected to
decline by approximately 4,500 positions in 2009 as part of an effort to
ensure competitiveness and control costs in the face of a weakening global
economy.
The reduction will bring Commercial Airplanes' employment to approximately
63,500, similar to the level it was at the start of 2008.
"We are taking prudent actions to make sure Boeing remains well positioned
in today's difficult economic environment," said Scott Carson, president and
CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
"We have made significant strides in recent years to achieve greater
efficiency and productivity, but we still face challenges that we must
address," Carson said. "We regret the disruption to those affected by this
decision, but we believe that acting now will allow us to be in a financial
position to adapt to market uncertainties, meet our customer commitments,
continue investing in our current and future product lines, and protect our
competitiveness in a fiercely competitive business environment."
Commercial Airplanes has begun a program to reduce overhead costs and
discretionary spending. Although normal attrition and a reduction in contract
labor will account for some of the job reductions, layoffs of Boeing employees
also are necessary.
Many of the job reductions will be in overhead functions and other areas
not directly associated with airplane production. This will enable Boeing to
continue focusing on successfully executing new airplane development programs,
delivering airplanes to customers, continuously improving productivity and
quality, and supporting customer airplanes in the fleet.
Most of the reductions are expected to occur in Washington state in the
second quarter of the year. Affected employees will receive 60-day notices
beginning in late February. Boeing will support laid-off employees with layoff
benefits and career-transition services.
Commercial Airplanes began 2008 employing more than 63,000 people
(including contract labor) and increased employment to nearly 68,000 by
year-end.
Contact:
Tim Healy, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, +1 206-766-2116
Jim Proulx, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, +1 206-766-1393
