Published: Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Help for Boeing workers facing layoffs
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Michael O'Leary / The Herald
Charles Collins, a Boeing career counselor, speaks to a group of employees at a layoff briefing at Boeing's Everett factory Monday.
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Michael O'Leary / The Herald
Richard Bennett listens as Glen Hunter from IAM/Boeing Joint Programs speaks to employees at a layoff briefing at Boeing's Everett plant Monday. Boeing's Career Transition Services team holds regular briefings -- at the factory and online -- to help workers facing layoffs learn about available benefits and get help finding training and job opportunities.
EVERETT -- Help is available to Boeing Co. workers who get pink slips.
"This is a huge stress," Robin Raney, with the Employee Assistance Program, told about 20 Boeing employees at the Everett factory on Monday. "To go through a job loss is a huge stress."
That's why Boeing has lined up a series of layoff briefings for employees who have received a 60-day layoff notice. Workers learn about state unemployment benefits and services offered by Boeing and its Machinists union. Employees can attend sessions at the factory or online.
Charles Collins, Boeing career counselor, offers workers tips for putting together a "bulletproof" resume and acing a job interview. The company's Career Transition Services team also helps workers find other positions within the company.
"We are trying to help you in every way possible," Collins said.
Boeing is cutting 10,000 positions, both hourly and salaried, companywide this year in an effort to stay competitive in an economic downturn. About 466 Machinists received 60-day notices last month and 190 picked up pink slips in January. The next round of layoffs will take place March 20.
It's not uncommon for laid-off workers to go through the same emotions as someone dealing with the loss of a loved one, Raney said. But she encouraged workers to visit the Employee Assistance Program offices if feelings of despair or helplessness drag on for more than a few days. Laid off Boeing workers and their dependents can continue to use the program for up to 18 months after termination. Besides offering counseling for emotional problems or substance abuse, the program also provides legal and financial assistance, Raney said.
Monday's session was aimed particularly at members of Boeing's International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, who are eligible for additional benefits through joint programs between the company and the union. Career advisors such as Glenn Hunter help Machinists plan their next career move. And the program helps with that first essential step: crafting a resume.
"We will pay a professional resume center to write your resume," Hunter said.
He suggested Machinists arrange to get a voucher for the resume service before leaving the company to get a head start on their job searches.
Union members also can receive $2,500 toward education or retraining through IAM-Boeing joint programs. That money can be used for community college classes or various job training certifications. Machinists are eligible for the educational benefit for a year or more after being laid off. Union members also can continue to use the computer lab at the programs' Evergreen Way location for up to three years after being laid off.
"This is a huge stress," Robin Raney, with the Employee Assistance Program, told about 20 Boeing employees at the Everett factory on Monday. "To go through a job loss is a huge stress."
That's why Boeing has lined up a series of layoff briefings for employees who have received a 60-day layoff notice. Workers learn about state unemployment benefits and services offered by Boeing and its Machinists union. Employees can attend sessions at the factory or online.
Charles Collins, Boeing career counselor, offers workers tips for putting together a "bulletproof" resume and acing a job interview. The company's Career Transition Services team also helps workers find other positions within the company.
"We are trying to help you in every way possible," Collins said.
Boeing is cutting 10,000 positions, both hourly and salaried, companywide this year in an effort to stay competitive in an economic downturn. About 466 Machinists received 60-day notices last month and 190 picked up pink slips in January. The next round of layoffs will take place March 20.
It's not uncommon for laid-off workers to go through the same emotions as someone dealing with the loss of a loved one, Raney said. But she encouraged workers to visit the Employee Assistance Program offices if feelings of despair or helplessness drag on for more than a few days. Laid off Boeing workers and their dependents can continue to use the program for up to 18 months after termination. Besides offering counseling for emotional problems or substance abuse, the program also provides legal and financial assistance, Raney said.
Monday's session was aimed particularly at members of Boeing's International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, who are eligible for additional benefits through joint programs between the company and the union. Career advisors such as Glenn Hunter help Machinists plan their next career move. And the program helps with that first essential step: crafting a resume.
"We will pay a professional resume center to write your resume," Hunter said.
He suggested Machinists arrange to get a voucher for the resume service before leaving the company to get a head start on their job searches.
Union members also can receive $2,500 toward education or retraining through IAM-Boeing joint programs. That money can be used for community college classes or various job training certifications. Machinists are eligible for the educational benefit for a year or more after being laid off. Union members also can continue to use the computer lab at the programs' Evergreen Way location for up to three years after being laid off.
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