Boeing to Lay Off 1,200: Boeing Co....

Boeing to Lay Off 1,200: Boeing Co. plans to lay off about 1,200 employees in the first half of 1990, with most of the cuts to be made among production workers at Everett, Wash., Chairman Frank Shrontz said. Shrontz’s comment confirmed recent speculation that jobs would be cut. The exact size of the layoffs or where they might occur has not been determined. Shrontz said the company is studying how it can transfer rather than lay off workers. He cited the continuing “impact of the defense budget” for the layoffs. Shrontz also said the company anticipated a reduction in production workers who were needed for start-up work on the 747-400 jetliner, but it had not thought layoffs would be necessary. Increased experience and productivity on the assembly lines is lessening the need for more workers, Shrontz said.