Boeing cuts spending amid strike, considers furloughs

Striking Boeing workers and their supporters picket outside the Boeing Co. manufacturing facility in Renton, Washington on September 16, 2024. – In the first strike in 16 years, thousands of Boeing factory workers walked off the job in a dispute of pay that is likely to effect the manufacture of Boeing commercial planes. (Photo by Yehyun Kim / AFP)

New York, United States — US aviation giant Boeing on Monday announced it was making serious spending cuts, including considering furloughs and implementing a hiring freeze, as it responds to a factory worker strike in the northwestern United States.

“Our business is in a difficult period. This strike jeopardizes our recovery in a significant way and we must take necessary actions to preserve cash and safeguard our shared future,” said Chief Financial Officer Brian West in a message to employees.

Talks between Boeing and striking factory workers will resume Tuesday under a federal mediator, the union said, after workers voted overwhelmingly to reject a proposal from the embattled aviation giant.

READ: Boeing workers overwhelmingly vote to strike, reject contract

The strike has shuttered two major plane assembly plants for the 737 MAX and 777 in the Puget Sound region, further delaying the financially stressed company’s turnaround efforts.

On Monday, West said the company was taking the “necessary actions to preserve cash and safeguard our shared future.”

The hiring freeze affects “all levels” of employees, and also pauses some forms of pay raises.

It also suspends “any travel that is not for critical customer, program, regulatory or supply chain activity,” while stopping all business- and first-class travel.

All non-essential capital expenditures will also be suspended.

The CFO said the company was “considering the difficult step of temporary furloughs for many employees, managers and executives in the coming weeks.”