Workers at Boeing, a leading aerospace and defense corporation, confirmed that the company will remove over 1,000 employees from its C-17 production line at its headquarters in Long Beach, California by late 2012.  Boeing plans to reduce its C-17 production, from 15 to 10 jets every year, in line with its long-term business plan.  The affected workers said that Boeing officials have spoken to them recently to relay the bad news.  The slated layoff is expected to bring the C-17 workforce in Long Beach to about 4,000 by 2012, less than a third of the local aerospace work force during the early 1990s.

Stan Klemchuck, the President of Local 148 of the United Aerospace Workers, said that employees were saddened by the announcement. “We just got the news today, and people are obviously devastated. Between this and recent layoffs at the (Carson) warehouse facility, it’s overwhelming. The jobs are just drying up.” Klemchuck added that union members will discuss the upcoming layoffs to prepare those who will be affected by the cuts. “We’ll be meeting with as many people as we can to talk and figure out how, when and who exactly this is going to affect.”

As of today, Boeing is still mum about the layoff issue. Boeing officials did not confirm yet the details of the impending cuts. In February, Jerry Drelling, Boeing spokesman, mentioned that the company may layoff workers to remain competitive in the market and help maintain an affordable price for future orders. However, at that time, Drelling did not elaborate on the details as to an exact number of workers to be laid off and when. “We’re still completing the analysis of any reduction in work force, and we’re striving to mitigate the impacts on our employees as much as possible. But it’s something that needs to be done given reduced demand domestically and to ensure the aircraft remains affordable in years to come.”