Air Force One subcontractor laying off 223 after losing job
A subcontractor working on the new Air Force One aircraft until Boeing gave them the boot has announced it is cutting 223 jobs
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Boeing subcontractor working on the new Air Force One aircraft until getting the boot announced Friday that it was cutting 223 jobs.
In a statement, GDC Technics CEO Brad Foreman said the job cuts are the direct result of Boeing firing the company.
In a letter to the Texas Workforce Commission, GDC said it anticipated most operations at its Fort Worth headquarters would cease. It also would close its San Antonio facility where the Air Force One work was done.
There was no immediate comment Friday from Chicago-based Boeing.
Boeing had sued GDC, accusing it of running into financial problems and missing deadlines, causing millions in damages to Boeing and jeopardizing work critically important to the U.S. Air Force and the president.
In response, GDC countersued Boeing, alleging that Boeing mismanagement caused the delays, that Boeing failed in its contractual obligations to the subcontractors, including failing to pay what GDC was due for its work. It also alleges that Boeing has damaged GDC’s reputation with the Pentagon.
The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $3.9 billion contract in 2018 to convert two Boeing 747-8 planes into the iconic presidential jets and deliver them by December 2024. Boeing hired GDC for work on Air Force One and other executive planes used to carry government officials.
Boeing is currently working on electrical power upgrades, communication systems, executive interiors and other work on the planes at a Boeing facility in San Antonio, a Boeing spokeswoman said.