Boeing job cuts could reportedly hit 8,000 in Washington - about 10 percent of workforce



SEATTLE - Boeing could cut as many as 8,000 jobs in Washington - about 10 percent of its workforce in the state, according to a report from Q13 News partner The Seattle Times.

The Times report that cuts that were originally announced to be in the range of 4,000 jobs could double.

The original plan, announced in February, was for the job losses to come through normal attrition and voluntary buyout packages. Boeing told the Times on Tuesday that "hundreds of executives and managers" were among the initial losses.

The Times reported that the Test  & Evaluation division, which is based in the Puget Sound, outlined the job cuts in a document sent to managers.

“We anticipate the need to reduce staffing levels about 10 percent before the end of the year," it reportedly reads.

Boeing released the following statement in response to the Seattle Times report:

"We continue to follow our plan announced last month to make fundamental changes for the long term to win in the market, fund our growth and operate as a healthy business.

"That involves a combination of non-labor cost savings, supply chain savings, and reduced staffing levels. While there is no employment reduction target, the more we can control costs as a whole-- the less impact there will be to employment.

"Staffing reductions through mid-year, including hundreds of executives and managers, are projected to total approximately 4,000 positions -- none of which involve involuntary layoffs. We’ve been able to reduce staffing levels through attrition, leaving open positions unfilled, and voluntary layoffs. We’ll only use involuntary layoffs as a last resort."