Boeing cuts back on contract workers at S.C. plant
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Boeing is trimming the number of temporary contract workers employed at its South Carolina assembly plant.
The company said on Friday that the reductions have been planned for some time and have nothing to do with battery problems in its 787 jetliners. It didn't say how many workers are affected.
Boeing assembles 787s in its North Charleston plant, as well as at a larger facility in Everett, Wash.
Boeing Co. spokeswoman Candy Eslinger said the North Charleston plant employs more than 6,100 people. That includes regular employees and contract workers at the 787 assembly plant as well as another facility that makes the plane's tail section. She said none of the regular Boeing workers are affected.
She said contract employees have had the chance to apply for permanent Boeing jobs in recent months. It's standard practice in the industry to use contract workers when production at a plant is being ramped up, she said.
The 787 is Boeing's newest plane, and the North Charleston plant delivered its first one in October. The plane is built in sections all over the world - including the tail in North Charleston - and then assembled there and in Everett. Boeing has said it aims to build about three planes a month in North Charleston by the end of the year, out of 10 per month total.
The 787 has been grounded since Jan. 16 because of a smoldering and burning batteries. Deliveries are halted. Boeing has said it intends to keep building the planes at the same pace, though.
Boeing employs more than 173,000 people worldwide. Its defense business has been shrinking, while there has been some growth in its commercial airplanes. The company said on Friday that it will hire roughly 8,000 to 10,000 people this year, but expects overall employment to be flat.
The reductions were first reported late Thursday by The Wall Street Journal.
Boeing Co. shares rose 25 cents to $77.15 in morning trading.
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Josh Freed in Minneapolis contributed to this story.
The company said on Friday that the reductions have been planned for some time and have nothing to do with battery problems in its 787 jetliners. It didn't say how many workers are affected.
Boeing assembles 787s in its North Charleston plant, as well as at a larger facility in Everett, Wash.
Boeing Co. spokeswoman Candy Eslinger said the North Charleston plant employs more than 6,100 people. That includes regular employees and contract workers at the 787 assembly plant as well as another facility that makes the plane's tail section. She said none of the regular Boeing workers are affected.
She said contract employees have had the chance to apply for permanent Boeing jobs in recent months. It's standard practice in the industry to use contract workers when production at a plant is being ramped up, she said.
The 787 is Boeing's newest plane, and the North Charleston plant delivered its first one in October. The plane is built in sections all over the world - including the tail in North Charleston - and then assembled there and in Everett. Boeing has said it aims to build about three planes a month in North Charleston by the end of the year, out of 10 per month total.
The 787 has been grounded since Jan. 16 because of a smoldering and burning batteries. Deliveries are halted. Boeing has said it intends to keep building the planes at the same pace, though.
Boeing employs more than 173,000 people worldwide. Its defense business has been shrinking, while there has been some growth in its commercial airplanes. The company said on Friday that it will hire roughly 8,000 to 10,000 people this year, but expects overall employment to be flat.
The reductions were first reported late Thursday by The Wall Street Journal.
Boeing Co. shares rose 25 cents to $77.15 in morning trading.
___
Josh Freed in Minneapolis contributed to this story.
I hate to say it but Boeing is preparing for big layoffs here in Wa. They have already gotten rid of all the contract workers on the 787here in everett. The 87 battery issue is causing Boeing to bleed out millions every week and they had too many mechanics on the program to begin with. They have at least 15 planes built but they can't deliver them. On top of that the 747 program is dying a slow death and they have already moved alot of workers out of that program.
I've already updated my resume and just waiting for the WARN notices to go out.
@Madclown- If you've ever worked there you haven't been there for quite sometime. Your monicker fits perfectly, congratulations.
SUCKS NOT HAVING UNION REPRESENTATION DOESN'T IT SOUTH CAROLINA
NO PITY FROM ME.
@nwlib Really? Are you that dumb? They were contract workers. They are never union even here in WAWA land!
@Man Seveneleven @nwlib Exactly it sucks not having a union there to back you up...PERIOD
@nwlib Right! Just tell that to the Hostess bakers and the Port of Tacoma grain elevator workers.
Contract workers... ie... expendable assets... anyone who has worked this kind of job knows this fact... and if they don't they are either new or just not very bright.... I have done this kind of work for longer than any permanent job I have had in the past... honestly I am more free as a independent contractor / expendable asset because I am robust enough to adapt when necessary... that skill got me to where I am today and I regret nothing! .... Boeing is simply shaving unnecessary expenses nothing more...
Whats with all the smoke in the back ground of the picture?? ;o)
You don'Â t see that in Everett!
@Handsup70 A building of that size can make its own weather. It use to at the Everett plant but they did something to prevent it. I do not remember what. Either that or they have humidifiers if it is to dry.
@Handsup70 I have when the engines are started.
@Handsup70Â Â Nothing serious, just a battery over heating.
Boeing has always used contract employees at all Boeing facilities, this is nothing new.
I work at Boeing here in the NW. And this is how Boeing used to do it up here back in the day. They used to use Kelly Serv. And you would come in on contract for so long, then they would have you apply or would let you go. Thats how my mom got a job back in the 80's and was never laid off.
Isn't right to work great? They should call it right to fire.Â
@NW-Economist You can't brains out of anyone that there handle starts with NW anything!
@Man Seveneleven Speaking of brains, your entire post is a non sequitur - you forgot a verb. Besides which, it is "their" not "there". Have a nice day genius. While you are at it, why don't you tell Boeing, Microsoft and Genentech how to become successful here in the NW?
@NW-Economist: Sorry dude or dudette but this has nothing to do with right-to-work laws. (I don't like them anymore than you do.) Contract employees are typically hired for a specific amount of time. That period can be extended or the person can be let go. Think hiring temps, you know like temp secretaries, recptionists, or bookkeepers. Except these are engineer/tech types, and they are definately non-union.
Hey Charleston.
Welcome to working at Boeing. Here today gone tomorrow.
Boeing simply cannot tell the truth anymore can they??
 Now does anyone reading this media story truly believe the people running Boeing at SC rings true???
We're laughing in Seattle!! Does that tell you anything????
Yes, it tells me that you take a lot for granted.