Boeing to shed 4,500 jobs

US aerospace giant Boeing said Friday it would cut about 4,500 jobs beginning next month amid a weakening global economy.
"We are taking prudent actions to make sure Boeing remains well-positioned in today's difficult economic environment," said Scott Carson, chief executive of Boeing's Seattle-based Commercial Airplanes business unit.
Employment at Commercial Airplanes was "expected to decline by approximately 4,500 positions in 2009 as part of an effort to ensure competitiveness and control costs in the face of a weakening global economy," the company said in a statement.
The job cuts will bring the unit's workforce to about 63,500, similar to the level it was at the start of 2008, the company said.
"We regret the disruption to those affected by this decision," Carson said, adding that the move would enable it to adapt to market uncertainties, meet customer commitments, continue investments and protect competitiveness.
Boeing also said the Commercial Airplanes unit had begun a program to reduce overhead costs and discretionary spending.