Boeing announced on Monday that it will halt production of its 787 “Dreamliner” long-haul aircraft in the state of South Carolina, marking the shutdown of all of the automaker’s civilian aircraft assembly plants in the United States. United.
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This site, the last still producing commercial aircraft, will be closed temporarily from April 8 for an indefinite period, says Boeing. The decision aims to align with the containment measures taken by the authorities of this state to stem the spread of the new coronavirus, explains the aircraft manufacturer.
Threatened employment
" It is part of our commitment to prioritize the health and safety of our employees while assessing the spread of the virus in the state and its impact on our supply chain and the 787 program ," said Brad Zaback, the person responsible for this program, quoted in the press release.
Employees affected and unable to work remotely will continue to be paid for 10 days and will then have to choose between benefits offered by Boeing in emergency situations or request unemployment benefit for emergency situations. Boeing, which employs more than 161,000 people, the vast majority in the United States, had already announced the day before to extend for an indefinite period the suspension of activity in its factories in Washington State. So far, the South Carolina plant has been spared.
The aeronautical manufacturer is at the same time in discussion with the Treasury for aid of at least 60 billion dollars which it requests for him and his 17,000 suppliers. In the meantime, Boeing has implemented a voluntary departure plan, without giving further details. Its action, which has tumbled on the stock market, is now moving into a roller coaster, according to the news on the progress of negotiations with the federal government.
