Those losing jobs are friends, neighbors

I am so tired of reading letters from people who berate Boeing employees. For the information of Mr. Lasher who wrote Oct. 23 (“Boeing workers: Employees are doing pretty well”), not every Boeing employee can work unlimited overtime. In fact all overtime has been cut from most of the areas.

Employees’ savings accounts were depleted during the last layoff. Most of the people who are losing their jobs Dec. 14 were only recently rehired and are just now starting to get back on their feet. We aren’t all living beyond our means. We are middle-class families trying to give our children the best we can. What ever happened to compassion?

Before condemning Boeing workers, perhaps people could remember that we are also your neighbors, friends, taxpayers and members of this community. When layoff notices were being handed out, we were writing checks to the American Red Cross, giving blood and crying with the nation.

Perhaps those who say, “There you go, that’s what you get for working in the aerospace industry” would like to look our children in the eye and tell them you don’t care. Maybe you didn’t know that Boeing was promising steady work until the year 2016 and that a second round of layoffs rarely would affect someone a second time. Maybe you didn’t realize that the skills acquired at Boeing are only useful in the aerospace industry. Many prospective employers are reluctant to hire someone who has been laid off from Boeing because they assume that everyone will return to Boeing when things look up.

It really is sad to see these bitter people don’t hesitate to attack members of their community when times are tough rather than reach out to them. Shame on you.

Everett

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