The
third day of the 2002 legislative session, the House Commerce
and Labor Committee received a strong message to improve the business
climate in Washington State or risk losing more Boeing jobs. IAM
751 President Mark Blondin testified beside Boeing Commercial
Airplane CEO Alan Mulally on the importance of fixing transportation
problems in this state, simplifying regulations, as well as a
number of other issues that make it hard for businesses to operate.Mulally's message was straight forward as he testified, "We are not competitive in this state, and we have to decide what we're going to do about it. We have other states that would love us. I have more offers than I can stand."
Blondin added, "Boeing shouldn't have to move parts in the middle of the night because of traffic problems. It makes the flow of airplane parts slower and more costly. Our members shouldn't have to sit one to two hours in traffic each way to work."
Together, Blondin and Mulally outlined six major areas of concern in Washington state - transportation, education, taxes, unemployment insurance, and regulatory permitting processes - that need improvement to foster a healthy business environment.
Blondin testified, "When it comes to Boeing, don't crank up the taxes. Don't come up with new fees, new ways to get permits. Make it easy for them. Don't wait for another state to come in and say, 'We'll cut you a deal.' We have to make it viable for them to do business."
Blondin emphasized, "We don't always agree with the way Boeing does business, but together we are asking you not to just support these priorities, but to act on them. The future of Boeing is the future of the Machinists Union. We must all work together to keep them a viable part of this region and to keep jobs here."
Blondin also encouraged the Legislature to provide additional education and assistance for the thousands of Boeing workers facing layoff. The current legislation of extended training benefits will expire the end of June.
Boeing was also adamant that the legislature show leadership and take action as quickly as possible rather than delaying the matter by calling for a public vote. Mulally reported four million parts arrive in Seattle to build a Boeing airplane. All of the state's infrastructure that the company depends on -- trains, boats, highways, taxes, education and more -- is the essence of the company's cost structure.
Mulally told the committee, "I am here because I want this to work, but if we don't make progress on these issues, then we have to do what it takes or we won't be an industry leader, we won't be competitive, we won't have a Boeing."
After listening to Mulally and Blondin, House Chair Steve Conway prodded Mulally to make a commitment to this region in return for improvements.
Members may be called upon to contact their legislators if the issues get bogged down in politics and do not appear to be making progress. The future of this region may depend on it.