Royal Oak Tribune

Boeing scraps most 2021 pay raises

- By Julie Johnsson

Boeing is scrapping most pay raises next year and giving out shares instead as the company braces for a long recovery from the coronaviru­s pandemic.

The restricted stock units will vest for workers who stick with Boeing through Dec. 14, 2023, Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun said in a message to employees Wednesday. Executives are excluded from the one-time grant, as are union members, whose annual compensati­on is set through collective bargaining.

Even with a vaccine, it may take another three years for Boeing to rebound fully, Calhoun warned. Boeing’s debt has soared to $61 billion and the company is shedding about a third of its workforce as a collapse in demand for new jetliners compounds the financial squeeze from a 20-month grounding of the 737 Max, the planemaker’s best-selling model.

“We will continue to position our company for the long term and chart a course to the other side of the recovery by making smart bets and investment­s,” Calhoun told employees. “That starts with investing in our people, empowering them to make the changes that will transform our company, and sharing in our successes, together.”

While executives, managers and most employees will go without raises next year, the stock awards have the “potential to deliver value significan­tly beyond a traditiona­l merit increase,” Calhoun said. It’s the first time Boeing has widely distribute­d restricted stock units, which are typically reserved for senior leaders.

 ?? SEONGJOON CHO — BLOOMBERG ?? Boeing logos are displayed at the company’s booth during the Singapore Airshow in Singapore on Feb. 12.
SEONGJOON CHO — BLOOMBERG Boeing logos are displayed at the company’s booth during the Singapore Airshow in Singapore on Feb. 12.

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