WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Boeing ( BA ) said on Wednesday it is issuing layoff notices starting this week to workers impacted by a broader plan by the heavily indebted planemaker to cut 17,000 jobs, or 10% of its global workforce.

U.S. staff receiving the notices this week will stay on Boeing's ( BA ) payroll until January to comply with federal requirements that give workers 60 days' notice prior to ending their employment. News that Boeing ( BA ) would send out the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) in mid-November was widely expected.

"As previously announced, we are adjusting our workforce levels to align with our financial reality and a more focused set of priorities," Boeing ( BA ) said in a statement. "We are committed to ensuring our employees have support during this challenging time."