Immediately
after learning Boeing was conducting a study to determine whether
to close, sell or continue operations at its Spokane plant, the
Union took action to preserve this very profitable facility. District
President Mark Blondin, Grievance Coordinator Larry Monger, and
Business Rep Craig McClure met with Union members in the Spokane
plant to hear their concerns and gather additional data.The Union enlisted Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell to champion this fight, but there were even more allies - Representative George Nethercutt, the Mayor of Spokane, the Spokane Chamber of Commerce, the Spokane Economic Development Council and SPEEA. Together this diverse group met with Boeing Commercial Airplane CEO Alan Mulally and emphasized the efficiencies, profitability and skills at the plant, as well as the desire to keep it a viable part of the Boeing Company.
The Company listened intently to
the factual data presented and understood that business, labor
and elected officials from Spokane are working together to preserve
this plant that has become a vital part of the Spokane economy.
This Union will continue to use every available resource (contractually,
legally and politically) to see that Spokane Boeing is there for
years to come.