Boeing CEO pledges to keep tanker work in Everett, Sen. Murray says

Published 1:17 pm Thursday, March 4, 2010

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., recently sat down with Boeing CEO Jim McNerney. During the course of their discussion, Murray asked Boeing’s chief several times about where its Air Force tanker will be built should Boeing win the $35 billion contract.

The answer was consistent: Everett.

Some workers here have worried that Boeing might assemble its tanker in South Carolina, following the company’s decision to put a second line for its 787 commercial jet there.

Murray suggested that Boeing’s McNerney share that message with the company’s unions here in Washington.

Boeing is expected to build the tanker here in Everett with workers in Kansas installing the military applications.

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson called Boeing’s selection of the 767 as its tanker platform “welcomed news.”

“The 767 is a proven plane, ready to be built immediately by our experienced workforce,” Stephanson said. “This highly skilled workforce, in place and ready to perform, offers a big plus to Boeing and a significant cost savings to taxpayers.”

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire released a joint statement with the eight governors of her coalition that supports Boeing’s tanker efforts:

“The 767 is a proven model, built at facilities with the world’s best workforce, and is more efficient than any model that will be proposed by its competitors,” the governors said. “This announcement confirms what the members of the U.S. Tanker 2010 Coalition have been saying – the Boeing proposal will give our men and women in the military the best tankers at the fairest price to the taxpayer, and will create the most jobs here in America.”