November 19, 2024 – Boeing has announced plans to lay off 2,199 employees in Washington state, part of a larger company-wide reduction that will ultimately affect approximately 17,000 workers. The news was released by the Washington State Employment Security Department on Monday. Currently, Boeing employs around 66,000 individuals in the state.
According to the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), 438 of its members received layoff notices just last week. SPEEA spokesperson Bryan Corliss stated that this represents approximately 2.5% of the total Boeing membership.
The Washington state layoffs include 218 members from SPEEA’s professional unit, consisting of engineers and scientists, and 220 members from the technical unit, which comprises analysts, planners, and technicians.
When asked about the specifics of the layoffs, Boeing spokesperson Bobbie Egan declined to categorize them by job type or location, stating, “The reductions are across the Boeing enterprise.”
The company had announced in early October its intention to reduce its workforce by approximately 17,000, representing 10% of its total employee base. Boeing had previously indicated that the layoffs would be widespread, affecting executives, managers, and other staff.
In a statement released on Monday, Boeing said it is “adjusting our workforce to align with our financial realities and more focused priorities. We are committed to ensuring our employees are supported during this difficult time.”
Boeing further noted that most of the recently laid-off employees will depart the company by mid-January. The affected workers will receive severance packages, career transition services, and medical subsidies for up to three months after their departure.
