Boeing layoffs – the blame game
Saturday, January 10, 2009 | 8:32 am
The initial shock over Boeing’s decision to lay off 4,500 people has settled a little, but the finger-pointing has just begun.
The company said it needs to shed those positions to stay competitive during tough economic conditions. Several analysts agreed, pointing to decreasing air traffic and airlines’ increasing trouble finding financing for jet purchases.
But union leaders and some readers aren’t convinced.
Ray Goforth, SPEEA’s executive director, called the layoffs “counterproductive” and blamed Boeing’s use of outsourcing for this latest problem.
“Unlike previous layoffs where Boeing was responding to downturns in aerospace, these layoffs have no clear business rationale,” said Goforth. “The company should staff up to fix the self-inflicted wounds of its outsourcing model, not lay off employees to prop up the stock price.”
Other readers said the Machinists’ strike last fall is the culprit. Boeing delivered fewer planes because of the work stoppage and thus, has less cash coming in. Of course, that argument reignited discussion of whether Boeing or the Machinists was to blame for the strike.
Did I miss any theories? Readers, what do you think?
The company said it needs to shed those positions to stay competitive during tough economic conditions. Several analysts agreed, pointing to decreasing air traffic and airlines’ increasing trouble finding financing for jet purchases.
But union leaders and some readers aren’t convinced.
Ray Goforth, SPEEA’s executive director, called the layoffs “counterproductive” and blamed Boeing’s use of outsourcing for this latest problem.
“Unlike previous layoffs where Boeing was responding to downturns in aerospace, these layoffs have no clear business rationale,” said Goforth. “The company should staff up to fix the self-inflicted wounds of its outsourcing model, not lay off employees to prop up the stock price.”
Other readers said the Machinists’ strike last fall is the culprit. Boeing delivered fewer planes because of the work stoppage and thus, has less cash coming in. Of course, that argument reignited discussion of whether Boeing or the Machinists was to blame for the strike.
Did I miss any theories? Readers, what do you think?
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