Southwest Airlines is offering buyouts and extended leaves of absence to airport workers to avoid “overstaffing” which it blames on Boeing.

The offers will be extended to customer service, ramp and operations agents, as well as cargo employees and supervisors.

Southwest Airlines Co. expects the strike by Boeing Co. workers and a lengthy push to boost production to once again limit the number of aircraft it receives next year.

A Southwest spokesperson told KOIN 6 that two of its Portland workgroups are eligible for what the airline is describing as a “voluntary separation program.” These employees work within the Ground Operations department, which includes customer service agents, operations agents and ramp agents.

Southwest Airlines on Monday announced buyouts to reduce staffing at some locations, but the buyouts aren't offered in Houston.

SAN ANTONIO - Southwest airlines is offering some of its workers buy-outs due to "over-staffing."The offer of "voluntary separation" applies to 18 airports.RELA