Boeing Will Reportedly Add 5,000 Jobs in ’96

Because of a rising number of purchase orders, aircraft maker Boeing Co. reportedly plans to add 5,000 jobs this year.

It would be Boeing’s first work force increase in five years.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper reported the staffing plans over the weekend, citing unidentified sources. Company representatives would not confirm the report.

The Seattle-based company’s work force shrank from about 161,000 to 105,000 over the last five years. That includes 12,600 jobs that were cut last year. Boeing’s orders dropped from 683 commercial jets in 1989 to 120 in 1994, reflecting an industrywide slump.

Last year, its orders rose to 346 planes, accounting for 70% of the world’s commerical aircraft market, and production of nearly all models is increasing this year.

Officially, Boeing did say that it has adopted new procedures to screen applicants. The six-phase process, scheduled to begin Thursday, aims to help determine which people may formally apply, and for which positions.

Those who clear that process still would have a lower priority for being hired than would laid-off Boeing workers, said Pete Conte, a Boeing spokesman.

Conte warned against reading too much into the screening change. “In no way is [this] an indication that Boeing is hiring again,” Conte said. “It’s just to prepare for the possibility.”