Boeing suspends Puget Sound production, schedules online shareholder meeting

Troubled American plane maker Boeing said it will temporarily suspend operations at its  Puget Sound area facilities because of a state of emergency that was declared by the state of Washington due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Operations will be suspended from 25 March at all its production sites in the area and will last for 14 days, the company said, during which the company will conduct “deep cleaning activities at impacted sites” and establish “rigorous criteria for return to work”. Boeing President and CEO David Calhoun. (PHOTO: Boeing) “This necessary step protects our employees and the communities where they work and live,” said Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun. “We continue to work closely with public health officials, and we’re in contact with our customers, suppliers and other stakeholders who are affected by this temporary suspension. We regret the difficulty this will cause them, as well as our employees, but it’s vital to maintain health and safety for all those who support our products and services, and to assist in the national effort to combat the spread of COVID-19,” Calhoun added. The company said Puget Sound area-based employees who can work from home will continue to do so and those that cannot work remotely will receive paid leave for the initial 10 working days of the suspension. “We will keep our employees, customers and supply chain top of mind as we continue to assess the evolving situation,” Calhoun said. “This is an unprecedented time for organisations and communities across the globe.” Boeing said “critical distribution operations” in support of airline, government, and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) customers will continue. Boeing sets online shareholder meeting Boeing announced its 2020 annual meeting of shareholders will be held online because of the coronavirus pandemic. The 2020 annual meeting of shareholders will be held in a virtual format only at 9am Central time on 27 April, 2020. Shareholders will not be able to attend the 2020 annual meeting in person. To be admitted to the meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BA2020, shareholders must enter the 16-digit voting control number found on their proxy card, voting instruction form, notice of internet availability of proxy materials or email previously received. Closed captioning will be provided for the duration of the virtual meeting.