³ÉÈËXÕ¾

³ÉÈËXÕ¾ NEWSRADIO

Boeing blames strike for furloughs while numbers show past debt

Sep 18, 2024, 6:14 PM | Updated: 6:20 pm

Photo: The Boeing strike continues....

The Boeing strike continues. (Photo courtesy of ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7)

(Photo courtesy of ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7)

As the Boeing machinists strike goes into its sixth day, the company is announcing temporary furloughs.

In a message to employees, Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg said the furloughs will impact executives, managers and employees.

Related news: As machinists strike continues, Boeing employees hear layoffs are imminent

Ortberg also said he and his leadership team will take a “commensurate pay reduction” for the duration of the strike. Worker furloughs and management pay cuts were some of the cost-cutting moves announced by Boeing.

The company is also blaming the strike for stopping production on some of its main money-making jet models, but striking workers are straight-faced when they hear the CEO and management team are taking temporary pay cuts.

Jason Lorenzen said regardless of how bad the financial situation is at Boeing, “I don’t think we’re asking for that much. I think we’re very reasonable. Everyone lost their pensions in the last contract.”

The company is blaming the strike and subsequent production loss for its cash troubles. But, back at the end of the second quarter, it was still in about $58 billion of debt.

Boeing said it has to take drastic action because the strike is putting its cash in jeopardy but striking workers and their families aren’t buying it.

Danielle Griffin’s husband is on strike. She saw the company announce spending cuts for catered meals, employees’ business class travel and now furloughs for white collar staff, and she said she’s confused why the company waited until now, when it’s already been billions of dollars in debt.

“I would think that some of the items that the CFO Brian put forth a few days ago would have indicated that would have been done earlier,” she told ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio.

Analyst: Strike costs Boeing $100 million in daily revenue

Fortune reports Boeing posted an operating loss of $1.4 billion in the second quarter.

Contributing: ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio staff

Sam Campbell is a reporter, editor and anchor at ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio. You can read more of Sam’s stories here. Follow Sam on , or email him here.

³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio

burien city council...

John Curley Show

‘A big fat lie’: Burien council member slams DESC-run facility over lack of treatment

A Burien City Council member voiced her frustrations with a DESC-run shelter over a lack of treatment.

9 hours ago

Andrew Tate...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘Nothing quite like it’: Hydroplane champion captures rush of Seafair races

The roar of hydroplane engines returned to Lake Washington Friday as the Apollo Mechanical Cup kicked off Seafair weekend.

23 hours ago

blue angels...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

Is Blue Angels protest going to stop festivities? — ‘Heck no!’ Jake Skorheim says

Jake and Spike talk about the Blue Angels ahead of Seafair weekend.

1 day ago

Image: Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson...

John Curley Show

‘Throwing money at the right problem’: Seattle council president defends tax-funded treatment bill

Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson explained her addiction treatment bill on "The John Curley Show."

1 day ago

Photo: Two river otters. WDFW recently reported a child was involved in an animal attack when an ot...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘I think there’s some liability’: ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ hosts debate who’s at fault for Bremerton otter attack

The mother of a young child who was violently attacked by a river otter at the Bremerton Marina last year has filed a lawsuit against the Port of Bremerton

2 days ago

costco shooting...

James Lynch

Man charged in Tukwila Costco parking lot murder pleads not guilty

Prosecutors announced last week charges against two teens for the murder of Mingyuan Huang in a Tukwila parking lot back in January.

2 days ago

Boeing blames strike for furloughs while numbers show past debt