Unions seek link of aerospace tax breaks, state workforce

SEATTLE — Leaders of the two largest unions representing thousands of Boeing workers renewed calls Monday for lawmakers to pass measures that would tie the aerospace giant’s tax breaks in the state to job numbers.

The union leaders, who represent more than 50,000 employees at Boeing around Puget Sound, were joined by Democratic state Rep. June Robinson at a news conference in Seattle. They argued that Boeing has shipped some jobs out of Washington state in spite of tax breaks granted to the aerospace giant in 2013 to secure the 777X program in Everett. Those tax breaks could save the aerospace giant as much as $8.7 billion in taxes through 2040.

Union leaders want lawmakers to reconsider two measures introduced earlier this year by Robinson. One ties tax breaks to jobs, and the other requires aerospace suppliers to meet specific wage standards in order to be eligible for certain business tax incentives. The next legislative session begins in January.