Boeing Strike and Hurricane Helene: Impact on Washington State and Florida Payrolls

The Boeing strike and Hurricane Helene have left a significant mark on the employment landscape of Washington state and Florida, with notable impacts on payrolls and job markets. This article delves into the consequences of these events and their influence on regional economies.

The Boeing strike, which lasted from September 13 to November 18, 2024, resulted in a total of 2,199 layoffs in Washington state, according to a notice filed with the state's Employment Security Department. This accounted for about 3% of the state's 66,000 Boeing workforce. The strike, combined with Hurricane Helene's impact on Florida's employment, contributed to a slowdown in job growth nationwide, with only 12,000 jobs added in October 2024.



The Boeing strike significantly impacted Washington state's revenue, particularly in aerospace and manufacturing industries. According to a report by the Anderson Economic Group, the strike cost Boeing an estimated $6.5 billion, with workers losing over $600 million in combined wages. The strike also led to layoffs, with Boeing announcing plans to cut about 10% of its workforce, totaling around 17,000 jobs across the company. In Washington state alone, Boeing laid off 2,199 workers, contributing to a decline in state revenue. The aerospace and manufacturing sectors, which are major contributors to Washington's economy, were particularly affected by the strike and subsequent layoffs.

Hurricane Helene, which hit Florida in late September, significantly impacted tourism and hospitality jobs in the state. According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the storm led to a temporary loss of around 50,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector. This decline was driven by the closure of hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses due to power outages, damage to infrastructure, and safety concerns. However, as the state began to recover, many of these jobs were quickly restored, with the sector adding back 40,000 positions within a month.



Hurricane Helene significantly impacted employment in Florida, with the leisure and hospitality industry experiencing the most significant decline. According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, employment in this sector fell by 15,000 jobs in September, accounting for 60% of the total job loss in the state. The construction industry also saw a notable decrease of 5,000 jobs, reflecting the pause in building activities during the storm. Conversely, the professional and business services sector added 10,000 jobs, indicating that some industries remained resilient despite the hurricane's impact.

The combination of the Boeing strike and Hurricane Helene influenced the overall U.S. labor market and economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2024. The Boeing strike, which lasted nearly two months, led to the loss of 2,199 jobs in Washington state alone, with an estimated total of 17,000 layoffs across the company. This strike, combined with the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which destroyed homes and infrastructure in the Southeast, resulted in a net job gain of only 12,000 in October 2024. Economists estimated that the storms and strikes caused up to 100,000 jobs to be dropped temporarily from payrolls, significantly impacting the overall labor market.

The Boeing strike and Hurricane Helene have left a lasting impact on the employment landscape of Washington state and Florida. While the Boeing strike led to significant job losses and revenue declines in the aerospace and manufacturing sectors, Hurricane Helene temporarily disrupted the tourism and hospitality industry in Florida. As both regions work to recover, investors should monitor the progress of these industries and consider the potential long-term effects on regional economies.