Boeing

The Boeing Company will close its Shreveport Aircraft Modification Center because of declining workload at the facility. Employees at the center were notified today.

"Following discussions with the leadership of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) about the continued decline of business at our Shreveport Aircraft Modification Center, we have made the difficult decision to cease operations at the facility," said Joe Warner, general manager of the facility.

A total of approximately 162 employees will be affected. Earlier this month, 85 employees were issued layoff notices because of the declining workload. The remaining Shreveport employees will be issued notices as required as work at the facility is concluded.

The IAMAW represents 97 Boeing employees in Shreveport.

The majority of the Boeing work currently being done at Shreveport will be finished in the next three to four months, and Warner says he expects the facility will be closed by early September.

"This is a very difficult decision, but one that was necessitated by business conditions," Warner said. "Our business here in Shreveport has been experiencing declining workloads for some time, and while we've been working diligently to secure additional work, we have not made sufficient progress to avoid closing the facility.

"This decision to close our operations here is in no way a reflection on the performance of our employees," he said. "I am extremely proud of the quality and dedication of this team of people. Our goal now is to do the maximum we can to assist our employees through this transition."

Under the Boeing layoff policy, non-represented employees will receive severance benefits that include one week of an employee's pay for each full year of service, up to a maximum of 26 weeks. They will also be eligible for medical and dental coverage for a period of up to three months.

Employees represented by the IAMAW will receive layoff benefits consistent with their contract.

Operations at the Shreveport Aircraft Modification Center began in 1988 as part of Rockwell North American. Boeing acquired that company in 1997.

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