Due to Defense Department budget cuts, Boeing is looking to cut approximately 1,000 jobs from its Integrated Defense Systems division from various locations across the U.S., including the Puget Sound area and potentially Kent.
An internal e-mail from Boeing released to the media this week describes the cuts evolving from “significant funding reductions on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program and other smaller programs and a stop-work order on the Future Combat Systems Manned Ground Vehicle element.”
“In recent weeks, customers have directed us to stop work or reduce the level of effort on some specific programs, requiring us to take immediate steps to reduce employment,” a statement from the e-mail read.
It is not yet known exactly how many jobs in the Seattle area will be affected, but Boeing has IDS production facilities in Kent.
IDS spokesperson Dan Beck said Wednesday the company has not yet narrowed the reductions list to specific sites, but workers in the Puget Sound are expected to be affected.
According to Beck, the Kent facilities work on the airborne early warning and control programs, the P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft, space and intelligence systems and with the Phantom Works development program.
Approximately 7,200 people in Puget Sound are employed with the IDS division, though Beck said an exact count for Kent was unavailable.
So far, no additional layoff notices have been sent to the State’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) site. According to the e-mail, affected employees will begin receiving notification this week.
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