‘First wave’ of 737 Max changes begins as workers are shuffled to other sites

The impending halt to the 737 Max production line is now starting to affect workers. Boeing says 3,000 are being reassigned.

Boeing made the announcement internally as it began to describe how it will temporarily shut down the Max production line in Renton.

Some workers are being loaned to production lines in Everett. Others will be sent to Moses Lake in eastern Washington and Victorville, east of Los Angeles. Both are places where Max planes are being stored.

Boeing did not say how many workers are slated to move out of region, and it did not say how that would happen. At the time of publication, the machinists union that represents many Boeing workers in Renton had not returned calls for comment.

The company said this is the "first wave" of changes for workers related to the 737 Max as the production line shuts down. Boeing also did not provide information on any future waves of change for workers.

The last 737 Max is expected to roll out the factory door later this month. After that, production will be suspended.

Boeing made the decision to temporarily cease making the model in December. The decision came after the 737 Max had been grounded worldwide for nine months; prompted by two fatal crashes.