US, Feb 05 : Boeing has informed employees of its plan to centralise engineering operations for the 787 Dreamliner in South Carolina, a move aimed at supporting increased production of the wide body aircraft. The development was disclosed by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), the union representing Boeing engineers, on Wednesday.
The proposed restructuring could see roughly 300 positions relocated from Washington state to South Carolina, which does not have union representation. The announcement comes ahead of the expiration of Boeing’s labour agreements with nearly 16,000 SPEEA members in Washington this October, potentially adding a new dimension to upcoming contract negotiations.
The aircraft manufacturer has not issued an official response to media queries regarding the reported transition.
In a separate workforce adjustment, Boeing’s defense division is set to eliminate about 300 non-union roles within its supply chain operations, according to a person familiar with the matter. The reduction forms part of the company’s broader effort to recalibrate staffing in line with operational requirements.
However, some affected employees may find opportunities in other areas of the organisation where vacancies exist, the source added, noting they were not authorised to comment publicly on personnel decisions.
Responding to the broader changes, a Boeing spokesperson stated that the company routinely reviews its workforce structure to remain aligned with commitments to customers and the communities it serves. The defense related layoffs were first reported by Bloomberg.