Reports: Boeing to layoff 200+ Charleston employees in wider workforce reduction plan

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Boeing is expected to lay off 10% of its workforce, which amounts to nearly 17,000 employees across the company, including over 200 workers in Charleston.

According to reports, The Boeing Company will permanently lay off 220 employees on January 17, 2025. A confirmed total was not provided by the company when asked Tuesday morning.

However, recent reports show over 2,500 workers in Washington, Oregon, Missouri, and South Carolina could be impacted by Boeing’s decision.

“As previously announced, we are adjusting our workforce levels to align with our financial reality and a more focused set of priorities. We are committed to ensuring our employees have support during this challenging time,” Boeing said in a statement to News 2.

A spokesperson for Boeing SC said most employees were notified of their layoff last week and will exit the company in mid-January, adding that reductions include attrition and concentrating backfills for open positions on business-critical priorities.

Eligible employees will receive severance pay, career transition services, and subsidized health care benefits up to three months after leaving the company.

As of January 2024, Boeing South Carolina’s workforce totaled 7,864. Workforce totals across the company are reported once per year.

According to AP, the aircraft company has been in financial trouble since two of its 737 Max jetliners crashed and killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019.

The added strike earlier this year stung Boeing’s finances but CEO Kelly Ortberg said on a call with analysts in October that it did not cause the layoffs. He says the layoffs are a result of overstaffing.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.