Originally published January 7, 2009 at 6:10 PM | Page modified January 7, 2009 at 7:21 PM

Boeing jobs in Washington shrank late last year

Boeing employment in Washington state slipped in the last two months of 2008, according to just-released numbers showing the first job reductions at the airplane maker since mid-2004.

By Seattle Times business staff

Boeing employment in Washington state slipped in the last two months of 2008, according to just-released numbers showing the first job reductions at the airplane maker since mid-2004.

Total Boeing employees in Washington, including contract labor, declined from 76,869 at the end of October to 76,417 at the end of the year — a reduction of 452 people, mostly in the Commercial Airplanes division. Boeing's work force worldwide declined by 2,001 jobs in the same two-month period.

Boeing has not announced any layoffs and most of the reduction is likely due to letting go of long-term contractors.

International Association of Machinists (IAM) union spokeswoman Connie Kelliher said the cuts are not in the blue-collar sector.

Boeing added just under 100 production workers to the IAM rolls in November and December, Kelliher said, and hired 13 more just last week.

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