TUKWILA, Wash.-Cloudy skies in the Pacific Northwest got a little darker for Boeing employees when the aircraft manufacturer announced it would cut 4,500 jobs later this year.
The news comes at a tough time for BECU members, many of whom already were dealing with extensive flooding in the area. Boeing said most of the reductions are expected to occur in Washington state in the second quarter of the year.
Todd Pietzsch, BECU's manager of public relations, said due to the floods, the $8.5-billion credit union activated its "Member Assistance Program" in 12 counties across the Evergreen State earlier this month.
"The program provides need-based loans to help members pay expenses," he explained. "If members' houses have been damaged, or if they need rent to stay somewhere else temporarily, we want to give them the money to get through the situation. It is an unplanned event and we want to help our members get through it."
As for the impending Boeing job cuts, Pietzsch said: "What we've done for many years is offer 'Surviving a Layoff' seminars. We give tips on getting through that time. We will communicate through our website to let members know the seminars are available and will hold them at our financial centers."
Boeing workers will not know until February, when 60-day notices are sent out, exactly who will be let go. A Boeing press release said "normal attrition" and a reduction in contract labor will account for some of the job reductions, but "layoffs of Boeing employees also are necessary."
"Many of the job reductions will be in overhead functions and other areas not directly associated with airplane production," the company said.
