Boeing Will Cut Thousands Of Jobs In Washington

SEATTLE, WA — Washington's largest private employer will cut thousands of jobs through additional layoffs and buyouts, the company announced Wednesday. Boeing sent involuntary layoff notices to nearly 7,000 U.S. employees this week, as the company moves toward a 10 percent reduction in its global workforce.

According to the Seattle Times, almost 10,000 jobs will be cut in Washington before August, including the latest round of layoffs and employees who accept voluntary buyouts.

In a letter sent to employees Wednesday, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun cited the deep, long-term economic ramifications of the coronavirus.

"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 wrote in a letter to employees. "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. I wish there were some other way."

According to Bloomberg, Boeing chose not to seek additional federal aid last month, after selling off approximately $25 billion in bonds.

Calhoun said plans to restart 737 Max production in Renton will continue as the company works to return the aircraft to service following two deadly crashes and the international grounding of the fleet. In April, Reuters reported Boeing hoped to clear regulatory hurdles by August, but the timing could be pushed back further into the fall.