Boeing cut 4,065 jobs in Washington in 2009

Published 10:15 am Tuesday, January 5, 2010

In 2009, the Boeing Co. reduced its Washington state workforce by 4,065 positions.

Early last year, Boeing officials announced plans to cut about 10,000 jobs across the company as Boeing took steps to remain competitive in a global recession.

From Dec. 31, 2008, to Dec. 31, 2009, Boeing slashed 5,118 positions, according to the company’s Web site. Nearly 80 percent of those jobs cut, or 4,065 positions, were here in Washington. Boeing has roughly 72,352 workers in the state to begin 2010.

Last January, Boeing said it aimed to bring its commercial airplanes division employment back down to about 2008 levels of 63,500 workers. As of Dec. 31, 2009, BCA employed 59,958 workers. However, in December, Boeing reorganized some of its engineering workers. The move affected its commercial airplanes, defense and engineering divisions. Both the commercial airplanes and defense division saw their numbers decline in December but those decreases essentially were offset with an increase in workers reporting to Boeing’s Engineering, Operations &Technology division.

Boeing already announced that it will slow production on its 777 widebody jet line in Everett this year. However, Boeing also will build up a “surge line” for its 787 here before opening up a second line in South Carolina next year.