Company pledges full benefits

By Bryan Corliss

Herald Writer

The Boeing Co. has pledged to pay full severance benefits to laid-off workers even though a clause in the contracts with its two main unions allows it to cut off those payments during a national emergency.

The president of the engineers and technicians union said he emerged from a Thursday meeting with the feeling that Boeing officials are going to do what they can for the 20,000 to 30,000 people expected to be laid off in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"I’ve got to tell you, the people in that room I’m convinced are committed to making some good things happen," said Charles Bofferding, president of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace.

A lot remains unknown about the timing and process of the layoffs, which will take jobs away from 20 to 30 percent of Boeing’s workers in its commercial airplanes and shared services divisions around Puget Sound.

Managers simply have not had time to develop answers to a lot of the questions being asked, Boeing Commercial Airplanes spokesman Bill Cogswell said. "It’s too early to give any definite answers," he said.

But union officials said some details did emerge from meetings with managers on Thursday.

Layoff notices likely will start going out soon, perhaps next week, but more likely in two weeks, according to the International Association of Machinists District 751. Machinists in Auburn, Spokane, Portland, Ore., and Wichita, Kan., will be among the first to get the word.

However, at least for SPEEA-represented people, the layoffs won’t take effect right away, Bofferding said. "We wouldn’t expect anyone to go out the door before the end of the year."

The layoffs will be implemented proportionally across the Commercial Airplane group, according to the Machinists. About two-thirds of the 92,000 jobs are around Puget Sound, but Boeing also has commercial jet workers in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Canada.

Boeing will pay Machinists union members the full severance benefit outlined in the contracts, Machinists union spokeswoman Connie Kelliher said.

A clause in the contracts does allow Boeing to opt out of severance payments if layoffs are the result of an "act of God, natural disaster or national emergency," she said.

But Cogswell confirmed Friday that Machinists will get full severance, including one week of pay for every year of seniority up to 26 weeks. They’ll also receive six months of medical benefits and $4,000 a year for three years to pay for job retraining.

SPEEA-represented workers also will get one week of pay for each year of seniority, with the same 26-week cap. Their medical benefits will be extended for three months.

Both unions are urging Boeing to call for voluntary layoffs. The company will consider it, according to the Machinists.

Both unions proposed early retirement buyouts. Those are unlikely, the Machinists union said.

Cogswell said it isn’t clear how layoffs will proceed among nonunion workers. "We’re assessing the whole situation now."

You can call Herald Writer Bryan Corliss at 425-339-3454

or send e-mail to corliss@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Funding gap leaves Lynnwood without a crisis center provider

The idea for the Lynnwood crisis center began in 2021 after a 47-year-old died by suicide while in custody at Lynnwood Municipal Jail.

Three seriously injured after head-on collision on Highway 522

The crash between Monroe and Maltby happened around 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.