MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Boeing laying off over 6,700 workers, cites ‘devastating impact’ of pandemic

May 27, 2020, 8:52 AM | Updated: Oct 7, 2024, 9:33 am

Boeing strike...

Workers meet on the flight line near Boeing 737 MAX factory shortly after company resumed operations, in Renton. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

(Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

Boeing has finished its voluntary layoff program, and there were not enough takers to prevent an upcoming round of involuntary cuts.

That will see the company laying off 6,770 U.S. employees in the days ahead, all of whom will be notified of their status soon.

“I wish there were some other way. For those of you who are notified, I want to offer my personal gratitude for the contributions you have made to Boeing, and I wish you and your families the very best,” Boeing CEO David Calhoun said in a written statement addressed to employees.

Impacted workers will receive severance pay, COBRA health care coverage, and career transition services.

The company announced in late-April that it would be trimming 10% of its global workforce, affecting over 10,000 Washington employees.

The market for commercial airplanes dried up this year as the COVID-19 pandemic cut global passenger traffic to a trickle.

“The COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating impact on the airline industry means a deep cut in the number of commercial jets and services our customers will need over the next few years, which in turn means fewer jobs on our lines and in our offices,” Calhoun stated. “We have done our very best to project the needs of our commercial airline customers over the next several years as they begin their path to recovery.”

MyNorthwest News

eagle falls 13th victim index...

Jake Chapman, KIRO 7 News

Eagle Falls claims 13th victim, man found unresponsive in water

A man died over the weekend after being found unresponsive at Eagle Falls in Index, according to emergency responders from Sky Valley Fire.

59 minutes ago

hoarding dogs court date...

Nia Bliss, KIRO 7 News

Court date set for man accused of hoarding over 40 dogs

Marysville officers discovered 42 West Highland Terriers in a cramped utility trailer on Aug. 31. Officers also rescued two other dogs of an unknown breed.

1 hour ago

fall equinox...

Ted Buehner

The fall equinox arrives today, and fall-like weather is right behind it

The fall equinox is today at 5:05 p.m. The fall equinox is also known as the autumnal equinox, and the following day is the first full day of fall.

2 hours ago

kingston ferry...

Chris Sullivan

Kingston’s new ferry ticket kiosk cut the line-cutting. Now it needs to fix the GPS problem

The Washington State Ferries put in a new ticket kiosk approaching the Kingston dock earlier this year to help ease congestion and line cutting.

2 hours ago

DOJ - Snohomish...

Jason Sutich

Convicted child rapist pleads guilty to enticing 2 more minors for sexual abuse in Snohomish County

A registered sex offender living in Snohomish County pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of enticement of a minor for his sexual abuse of two 14-year-old teens.

12 hours ago

Eagle Falls...

Jake Chapman, KIRO 7 News

Eagle Falls claims 13th victim, man found unresponsive in water

A man died over the weekend after being found unresponsive at Eagle Falls in Index.

13 hours ago

Boeing laying off over 6,700 workers, cites ‘devastating impact’ of pandemic