Wisconsin Lures Ex-Boeing Workers

Several Wisconsin companies will be in Seattle this weekend for a Boeing Career Fair, hoping to land some of the workers that Boeing is letting go.

While Boeing plans to eliminate about 12,000 jobs this year, the Wisconsin companies are having a hard time finding skilled workers.

Economic development officials and the companies headed for Seattle know recruiting may not be easy. Experienced Boeing workers are accustomed to average factory wages of $15 an hour, and people may not be eager to move 2,000 miles away.

Among the companies sending recruiters to Seattle are Ace Precision Machining Corp., which has been trying to fill a maintenance mechanic position since last fall, Apogee Wausau Group and Custom Products Corp.