The company has about 170,000 employees nationwide, with nearly 67,000 in Washington, per Business Journal research. Selected workers will be furloughed for one week every four weeks, but will maintain health benefits. At the same time, Boeing leadership will take "commensurate" pay cuts, Ortberg said, without disclosing details.

IAM International President Brian Bryant, who was on a picket line outside Boeing’s plant in Auburn, Washington, told CNN in a phone interview that the company’s statement was “smoke and mirrors,” and a poor attempt to shift the blame for the ...

The furloughs are part of sweeping cost-cutting measures Boeing announced this week as it continues negotiations with striking machinists.