OLYMPIA — A summary of the agreement between Boeing and the Machinists union implies that the deal to ensure the company builds the composite wings and fuselage of its new 777X in Washington state does not depend on legislative action.
The Seattle Times reported that the summary, which was posted online Wednesday, indicates the company’s commitment hinges solely on the union’s vote next week on the eight-year contract.
There’s no mention of legislative action as a parallel requirement. On Tuesday, Gov. Jay Inslee called a special session that will begin today in order to pass aerospace incentives to keep the project in the state.
Union spokesman Bryan Corliss said that the reason the legislative information wasn’t included in that document was because only information related to the union agreement was relevant for voting members.
“They’re not going to vote on the legislative piece, so we didn’t include information on the summary piece,” he said. “I think people are trying to read tea leaves and we’re all drinking coffee here.”
Inslee’s office released a letter written Wednesday by a Boeing official that states the company’s commitment to the area will be “solidified” by both the union vote and if “favorable economic incentives are implemented by the State of Washington.” That letter however, doesn’t say that their commitment is dependent on the legislative action, and does not mention a $10 billion transportation revenue package that Inslee on Tuesday said was needed as part of the overall special session package meant to keep the 777X in the state.
Action ‘essential’
Inslee spokesman David Postman said that in a conference call Wednesday afternoon, Boeing officials reiterated that their decision to locate the project in Washington state is dependent on the union’s approval of the contract, as well as the legislative package proposed by Inslee on Tuesday. A phone message left with Boeing was not immediately returned.
Larry Brown, the union’s legislative and political director, said Wednesday evening that he believes legislative action is “absolutely essential.”
“To not do so would be irresponsible of the Legislature, when tens of thousands of jobs hang in the balance,” he said.
He said that while he can’t say for certain what Boeing would do if the union accepted the contract, and the Legislature didn’t act, “we’re trying to not leave any stone unturned.”
Brown said he’ll be leading a delegation to Olympia today to lobby for the governor’s proposal.
