AM I NEXT? IS THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL AT BOEING (02/07/23)

Am I Next? Boeing 747 program on the chopping block.

FEBRUARY 7, 2023 — 2,000 OFFICE JOBS TARGETED IN FINANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCES

The company has announced that it will de-emphasize expenditures in finance and human resources in 2023 and focus on engineering and manufacturing. The company will cut approximately 2,000 jobs in finance and human resources.

According to a company spokesperson, certain jobs will be outsourced to Tata Consultancy Services of India. “As always, we will support affected teammates and provide assistance and resources to support their transition."

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 — BOEING TO OUTSOURCE JOBS TO INDIA

Boeing announced that the company will begin outsourcing finance and accounting jobs to Tata Consultancy Services of India. Approximately 150 jobs nationwide will be cut in the first batch of layoffs, with more to come next year and thereafter. The first layoff notices will go out in October 2022.

According to a company statement, “The Finance team is planning for lower staffing levels as it simplifies processes, improves efficiency, and shares select work with an outside partner. The company will assess future impacts as the process continues in the coming years.”

“We’re trying to strike a balance, being as transparent as we can without getting ahead of the work that we still have to do. We’ve been frank with employees that we do expect lower staffing levels within finance. As soon as we know the details, we’ll share those.”

It appears that Boeing will continue to outsource non-core functions for the foreseeable future.

MAY 6, 2022 — BOING TO MOVE GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS OUT OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, TO ARLINGTON VIRGINIA

The company has announced it will be relocating its global headquarters out of Chicago to its campus in Arlington, Virginia, where it will create a new research and technology hub nearby. The move is designed to place company executives closer to government decision-makers and regulatory agencies.

While the company claimed the move will not lead to major job cuts in Chicago, one never knows.

FEBRUARY 7, 2021 — 600 IT EMPLOYEE POSITIONS OUTSOURCED, MORE LAYOFFS COMING.

The company has announced a reduction in force of 600 IT workers commencing in April. The layoffs will affect database management, cloud services, and routine IT operations.

Boeing’s major operations hubs in Seattle, Washington, St. Louis, Missouri, and Charleston, South Carolina appear to be targeted.

The company acknowledged 20,000 layoffs in 2020 with another 11,000 planned for 2021.

According to a company spokesperson, the move to outsource IP operations will “increase the company’s efficiency, simplify operations and advance our digital transformation.”

OCTOBER 29, 2020 — ANOTHER 7,000 EMPLOYEES TARGETED

The company has announced that it was expanding its original reduction in force by 19,000 jobs, using a combination of voluntary and involuntary layoffs, to target an additional 7,000 employees to reduce the workforce to 130,000 jobs by the end of the year. Jobs left empty through natural attrition will not be filled.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 — THE NEWS IS NOT GOOD AS BOEING ENCOUNTERS “QUALITY” HEADWINDS

It appears that the company has self-reported aircraft components “that failed to meet its own design and manufacturing standards.” While any defects do not appear to pose immediate safety risks, further doubt is raised in the minds of travelers, employees, and investors.

JULY 29, 2020 — CONSOLIDATION AND RESTRUCTURING BEING CONSIDERED. 10,000 JOBS LIKELY TO BE LOST.

The company has announced plans to restructure and consolidate operations. This will most likely affect any ramp-uo for the 737 MAX in Renton, Washington and cut back production in Everett, Washington. Also under consideration is the consolidation of the 787 assembly in a single location said to be

Boeing said Wednesday that due to the collapse in demand for airliners, it will slow down the planned ramp-up of 737 MAX production in Renton, cut widebody jet production rates in Everett and study consolidating 787 Dreamliner assembly in a single location — possibly in North Charleston, South Carolina.

This portends additional job cut, especially in Everett, Washington. The company previously suggested that Boeing would reduce its headcount by 10,500 in Waashington State. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun told financial analysts that “More hard decisions are likely ahead of us.

JULY 14, 2020 — 747 PRODUCTION SUNSET PLANNED

Reuters News Service has published a story headlines, "Boeing Quietly Pulls Plug on the 747, Closing Era of Jumbo Jets."

According to the published report, "Boeing Co. hasn’t told employees, but the company is pulling the plug on its hulking 747 jumbo jet, ending a half-century run for the twin-aisle pioneer."

"The last 747-8 will roll out of a Seattle-area factory in about two years, a decision that hasn’t been reported but can be teased out from subtle wording changes in financial statements, people familiar with the matter said."

“'At a build rate of half an airplane per month, the 747-8 program has more than two years of production ahead of it in order to fulfill our current customer commitments. We will continue to make the right decisions to keep the production line healthy and meet customer needs,' Boeing said for this story."

Am I Next? Boeing 747-8.

"The Chicago-based company has lost about $40 million for each 747 since 2016, when it slowed production to a trickle, making just six jets a year, Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu estimated."

“Boeing, meanwhile, had been preparing for years to wind down the 747 program, and its sales team has been sounding out customer interest in a potential freighter version of the 777X. If such a model goes forward, it would bolster flagging sales of the largest twin-engine aircraft in the company’s lineup.”

"The telling omen that Boeing had written the iconic 747’s final chapter came in financial filings earlier this year. Gone was any indication that the company would continue to 'evaluate the viability' of the program, standard phrasing it had previously used."

For younger employees. it might be time to switch to an ongoing program when possible. For older employees, there is always buy-outs and early retirements. Since jobs are scarce now, keep what you have and consider a better future.

APRIL 10, 2020 — BOEING COULD CUT 10% OF THE WORKFORCE

It appears that the company is floating another trial balloon for Wall Street suggesting it is considering a 10% reduction in force, mainly affecting its commercial airline manufacturing business, using a combination of early retirement, buyouts, and involuntary layoffs.

The company has already announced voluntary buyout offers for its roughly 160,000 employees.

APRIL 9, 2020 — BUYOUTS & EARLY RETIREMENT OFFERED

Chicago, Illinois-based Boeing, an iconic aerospace corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment, and missiles worldwide, has announced a plan for buyouts and early retirement program to be offered to workers. Additionally, the company will be offering a voluntary layoff program.

According to CEO, “CEO David Calhoun, “We're in uncharted waters. We're taking actions — including offering this VLO plan — based on what we know today. When the world emerges from the pandemic, the size of the commercial market and the types of products and services our customers want and need will likely be different. It’s important we start adjusting to our new reality now.”

A company spokesperson noted that “the company expected several thousand employees to accept voluntary layoffs or retire. However, Boeing executives increasingly believe potential involuntary layoffs and production cuts may be unavoidable, depending on how the crisis unfolds.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?