Boeing C-17 Program Reduces Work Force in Its 2nd Phase of Production Rate

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2011-01-20

As part of a transition announced last year, Boeing today confirmed it will deliver 13 C-17 Globemaster III airlifters in 2011 as the company moves to a new production rate of 10 C-17s per year by reducing approximately 1,100 jobs through the end of 2012. The company delivered 14 C-17s in 2010.

The C-17 program, once supported roughly 25,000 supplier jobs in 44 states, has an annual economic impact of approximately $5.8 billion. Now in its 18th year of service, the C-17 has supported numerous military transport, humanitarian and disaster-relief missions worldwide.

"Reducing the number of C-17s we deliver every year -- and doing that with a smaller work force -- will allow us to keep the production line open beyond 2012, protect jobs, and give potential customers more time to finalize their airlift requirements," said Bob Ciesla, C-17 program manager.

Boeing estimates that the work force reduction will primarily impact Long Beach, where approximately 900 of the 1,100 reductions will take place at the program's final assembly site. The remaining 200 reductions will impact C-17 production program employees in Macon, Ga., Mesa, Ariz., and St. Louis. The company will try to redeploy many of the affected employees to other programs or other Boeing locations where the company has suitable job openings.

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