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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: tejek who wrote (494106)	7/10/2009 3:43:31 PM
From: longnshort	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1591656

Daily Editorial Updated: Thursday, July 9, 2009 1:10 PM PDT Boeing's unions must work with company to keep jobs in state The purchase of a manufacturing plant in South Carolina makes it clear Boeing will build 787s elsewhere if labor trouble can't be eliminated. By the Union-Bulletin Editorial Board The Boeing Co. has been an anchor of Washington state's economy for decades, much like General Motors has been a mainstay in Michigan Given the collapse of GM and the financial meltdown in Michigan, Washingtonians should be concerned. And adding to that anxiety is Boeing's announcement this week that it was buying a manufacturing plant in Charleston, S.C. The move gives Boeing options in the production of the 787 jetliner, which means jobs could be moving to South Carolina. State Senate Republican Leader Mike Hewitt of Walla Walla was quick to fault the state's tax structure, which he sees as a major contribution to an unfriendly business climate. Hewitt's concerns are valid. Washington state is competing with the rest of the nation -- and the world -- for businesses to relocate or remain in Washington. But when it comes to Boeing's future in Washington, the tax structure is not necessarily the deal breaker. After all, state lawmakers have worked -- and continue to work -- to offer tax breaks or tax deferrals to Boeing to keep the company building airplanes in Washington state. It is the concern over strikes -- production workers have struck the company four times over the past 20 years -- that might send Boeing's jobs to another state. The Seattle Times reported Wednesday that, according to members of the state's congressional delegation, Boeing is taking a firm stand with its biggest union, which represents machinists. Boeing wants, by this fall, a long-term agreement that would preclude a strike. If not, Boeing might start building 787 airplanes elsewhere. "The whole thing comes down to, can they get a long-term agreement with the union, with a no-strike clause," said U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Bremerton. "That's what ultimately has to happen here in the next two or three or four months -- or they are going to go elsewhere. I think if they get this agreement, they would stay." Is Boeing bluffing? The purchase of the Vought Aircraft Industries' South Carolina plant, which now manufactures parts for the 787, would seem to indicate it is not. And GM's financial woes should make it clear to all -- including union officials -- that Boeing has no choice but to play this hand. Labor costs have allowed foreign automakers to have an advantage over GM and other U.S. automakers. Boeing can only survive if it makes a profit on the airplanes it builds. It is in the best interests of all Boeing employees -- as well as Washington state and its taxpayers -- for the unions to work in partnership with Boeing. Another us-vs.-them work stoppage could well be the end of Boeing in Washington. Labor contracts must be structured to allow Boeing employees to keep building planes in this state. State lawmakers should assist in making his happen. union-bulletin.com