Boeing has announced another round of job cuts, with 396 workers in Washington state losing their positions. About half of those affected are members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace SPEEA.
Bryan Corliss, a spokesperson for SPEEA, said over 3% of the union’s members nationwide have been laid off recently. Boeing has faced financial challenges due to issues with its aircraft.
According to Corliss, many union members have seen their jobs moved to nonunion Boeing sites, outsourced to other countries, or handed over to contractors. He described this as part of a long-term trend, saying workers have come to expect layoffs over the years.
“Boeing’s decisions over the last couple of decades might save money in the short term but hurt the company in the long run,” Corliss said.
The layoffs mostly affect employees in manufacturing planning, design, and engineering roles. These workers are involved in all stages of building an airplane, Corliss explained.
Opportunities in the Space Industry
Despite the layoffs, there may be job opportunities for these workers in the local space industry, said Stan Shull, a Seattle-based space industry analyst. He noted there are around 1,200 to 1,300 open positions in companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Amazon’s satellite division.
“These companies are looking for experienced engineers, and anyone with the right skills and mindset could find a place in this fast-moving, entrepreneurial sector,” Shull said. However, he noted that most jobs in the space industry are nonunion and may feel different from working at Boeing.
Union Response and Support
SPEEA is reviewing the layoffs to ensure Boeing followed the procedures outlined in their union contracts. The union has also hosted meetings to help members apply for unemployment and find new jobs. Around 70 people attended these sessions.
Other unions, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Association of Machinists, said their members were not impacted in this round of layoffs.
Boeing provided a statement explaining that the layoffs are necessary to align with their financial situation and priorities. The company said eligible employees would receive severance pay, career transition services, and subsidized health care for up to three months.
The layoffs will officially take effect on February 21, 2025, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department.