This
may be the most important legislative session in Olympia - with
many of our jobs literally on the line. With that in mind, District
751 has embarked on an aggressive lobbying effort to complete
a task list Boeing outlined as requirements needed to consider
placing the new airplane in this state. Since the decision on
the 7E7 will be announced this fall, swift action is needed to
secure the plane for this region.Since we received Boeing's list, District 751 has worked tirelessly in Olympia to achieve those objectives - building broad coalitions between labor, business and the communities. Despite the nearly $3 billion budget shortfall, legislators seemed to understand the importance of making changes now to preserve jobs for the future.
IAM 751 Political Coordinator Linda Lanham, who has been in Olympia literally round-the-clock, noted, "This is the first year I have seen elected officials committed to keeping Boeing here in the State of Washington. Democrats and Republicans alike (especially the leadership) are stepping forward and getting things done. Our future depends on their accomplishing these priority issues to ensure the 7E7 is built in this region."
While the issues are still progressing, we need every member to take the time to contact their legislators by phone (1-800-562-6000) or e-mail (click here for Senate e-mail addresses) (Click here for House e-mail addresses). The message is simple: "Do whatever is necessary to keep Boeing in this state!"
As the session began, Boeing compiled the following list as action items needed to be completed to consider placing the 7E7 in this state:
· Transportation
· Tax Equity (Unemployment Insurance Reform)
· Education
· Taxes
· Workers' Compensation
· Energy
· I-Codes (building codes, permitting process, etc.)
Other identified issues include: the use tax and shoreline growth. In addition, the Union is aggressively working to level the playing field with Airbus by utilizing federal, state and local officials and agencies (see related article above).
Below is a brief summary of the progress on
several of our issues:Transportation (No bill number): Continue to push legislators to take action to improve transportation in this area to make it more inviting for businesses to remain. Ask your legislators to support such legislation in Olympia.
HB1933 Mukilteo Port (Senate Only): Ask your Senator to revise the Shoreline and Growth Management Act to allow us to facilitate a port at the current Mukilteo tanker site. Boeing has identified this as a priority. It is another step toward getting the new 7E7 built in Everett. This passed the House 83 to 14.
SB5942 - Elevator Maintenance (House Only): Ask your Representative to ensure our facilities/maintenance people will still be allowed to perform elevator maintenance at Boeing. This passed the Senate 49-0.
Unemployment/Tax Equity (No bill number): Ask your legislators, both House and Senate, to push to maintain unemployment benefits and ensure companies get fairly taxed by the Employment Security Trust Fund.
SB5161 - Workplace Safety: Ask your legislators to oppose this bill and to continue to support the workplace ergonomics rule.
HB1214 - Prescription Drugs: Support the House version on prescription drugs to allow consumers to participate and also save money on prescription drugs. Additionally, many private plans would benefit from being able to buy through a large consortium. This passed the House 64-33.
SB5713 - Electricians Bill (House only): Exempt our members from being regulated. Passed the Senate 38-10.
These issues are important for our future. Please take the time to call 1-800-562-6000 and tell your legislators (House and Senate) to do whatever it takes to keep Boeing in Washington! Your action could make the difference!