In a
show of solidarity, District President Mark Blondin accompanied
Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell into the Everett
Plant on December 10 to bring our members some good news -- the
Senate passed legislation for the U.S. Government to lease up
to 100 new 767's to be used as air-refueling tankers. The Union has worked very closely with our two Washington Senators and Congressman Norm Dicks pursuing this very important bill that Boeing estimated could mean as many as 2,400 jobs based on a production rate of 20 planes a year. On Tuesday, December 18th, the House and Senate jointly approved leasing the 100 767 tankers and four 737's. This is the largest single order in Boeing history worth an estimated $20 billion.
District President Mark Blondin applauded the Senators and gave a special thanks to Senator Murray, whose key position as Transportation Chair played a pivotal role in the Senate passage, as well as Congressman Norm Dicks who spearheaded the bill in the House with his key role on the House Appropriations Committee.
751's Political Director Linda Lanham is speaking almost daily with Congressman Dicks to ensure the House delivers this important bill.
At the press conference in the Everett plant, Senator Murray declared, "This lease will provide a tremendous boost to the workers and the economy in the Puget Sound and will provide our military with the resources they need to do their jobs."
Senator Murray noted the bill originally had about a 5 percent chance in the Senate. However, thanks to extensive lobbying efforts by Murray, Cantwell and other key Senators - the measure was approved by a voice vote despite fierce opposition from Senator John McCain who accused Murray of using it as a "bailout for Boeing."
"For months, Senator Cantwell and I have worked with the Air Force and other Northwest delegation members to convince our Senate colleagues to approve this measure. It is critically important for our men and women in uniform, who deserve the best equipment we can provide them, as they carry out their dangerous missions," Murray stated.
The new Boeing 767's would replace the KC-135's
that are currently used to refuel U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine
aircraft. The KC-135 tankers are the oldest planes in the Air
Force fleet. The average tanker is 41 years old, expensive to
maintain and is frequently grounded for repairs. Senator Maria Cantwell noted, "This is a huge economic win for our state. This contract will put Boeing workers on the production line at a time when the state's economy needs it most."