Boeing issuing final batch of layoff notices — for now

By David Bowermaster
Seattle Times aerospace reporter

10/25/02


The grim monthly distribution of layoff notices to Boeing workers that began a year ago will come to an end today when the company hands out 60-day warnings to 1,090 Puget Sound area employees, plus another 110 workers at other Boeing locations.
The layoff notices represent the last of the big job cuts the company announced after last year's Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The respite could be brief, however. Boeing is reviewing its staffing needs for 2003 and will inform employees "soon" whether additional layoffs will be needed, according to Bill Cogswell, a Boeing spokesman.

"We know there are going to be employment reductions necessary next year, and we hope to accomplish those through a combination of attrition and layoffs," he said.

Today is also the last day of work for 240 workers who received 60-day warning notices in August, including 100 Puget Sound area workers.

To date, 25,640 workers have left Boeing's payroll, including 15,650 in Puget Sound.

The 2003 layoff warning cycle could begin as early as Nov. 22, with layoffs effective Jan. 24.

Last September, Boeing said it would need to eliminate 25,000 to 30,000 jobs. The company has targeted nearly 32,850 jobs for elimination since the first notices went out last October.

Some of those job cuts have been handled through attrition, while others have been postponed or canceled as production needs have changed.

The effective layoff date for workers receiving 60-day warning notices tomorrow will be Jan. 1.

While hourly workers bore the brunt of previous layoffs, engineers and other salaried workers will take the biggest hit today.

Of the 1,090 notices today, 225 will go to hourly workers and 865 will go to salaried workers.

David Bowermaster: 206-464-2724 or dbowermaster@seattletimes.com.