Boeing, the U.S. aerospace giant, announced significant job cuts on Monday, impacting thousands of workers across several states. The company will lay off over 2,500 employees in Washington, Oregon, South Carolina, and Missouri as part of a broader plan to reduce its global workforce by 10%.
The layoffs, which were confirmed in federally required filings, are a direct response to ongoing financial challenges and a need to streamline operations. The company has been grappling with significant debt and production delays, particularly with its 737 MAX and 777X programs.
The majority of the job cuts will affect workers in Washington and South Carolina, where Boeing’s primary commercial aircraft production facilities are located. While the company did not provide specific details about the types of roles being eliminated, it is understood that both engineering and production positions will be impacted.
The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) confirmed that 438 of its members at Boeing received layoff notices, including engineers and technicians. Additionally, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District Lodge 837 in St. Louis reported that 111 of its members, primarily involved in 777X wing component production, were affected.
The layoffs come at a critical time for Boeing, as the company works to ramp up production of its 737 MAX following a recent labor strike. The company is also facing pressure to deliver its 777X, a highly anticipated new aircraft program.
