Boeing workers brace for more layoffs as company cuts 777 production

Published 2:35 pm Thursday, April 9, 2009

When Boeing slows production of its 777 jet in Everett next year, the company likely will need to lay off even more workers than already announced.

Boeing doesn’t know yet how many more jobs, above the 4,500 already expected, it will need to slash to deal with the lowered production rates, company spokesman Jim Proulx told me.

And Boeing’s plans to boost moderately production rates on the 747-8 and 767 have been scrapped.

Here’s where the state and county stood earlier this month in Boeing employment numbers.

SPEEA, Boeing’s engineers’ union, says 85 of its members in the Puget Sound region have received pink slips since November.

Boeing’s announcement comes as state lawmakers are scrambling to figure out what to do about a study that says Washington is less competitive than others in attracting and retaining aerospace companies.

Boeing’s Proulx says the company hasn’t made any decisions about a second 787 line.

“We’ve not set a definitive timeline,” he said.