SEATTLE – Boeing's (NYSE:) engineering union is conducting a formal investigation into allegations from its members that the company is shifting work to non-union sites in the United States and abroad.
The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) began formally investigating the allegations in December, when it requested relevant information from Boeing, the association's director of strategic development, Rich Plunkett, said Wednesday.
Union officials are concerned that the company is using a companywide downsizing mandate to send work away from the Seattle area, where SPEEA represents 17,000 Boeing workers.
In October, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the company would cut nearly 10% of its workforce, or 17,000 jobs, “to align with our financial reality.” The American aircraft manufacturer recorded losses estimated at about $8 billion during the first nine months of 2024. The company is expected to announce more losses when it announces its year-end results on Tuesday.
In November and December, Boeing issued layoff notices to more than 4,000 U.S. workers, including 660 to SPEEA members, according to publicly available government and union employment records.
Shortly after the first round of notifications went out, SPEEA officials began hearing from members that “some of the work that was being performed by people subject to layoffs is now being sent to other Boeing locations,” Plunkett said.
Boeing declined to comment on Wednesday.
