EVERETT — The Government Accountability Office’s opinion that the tanker contract should be rebid brought smiles to Machinists on Wednesday on the Boeing Co.’s 767 assembly line.
A few years ago, it looked like the 767 jetliner was headed for a certain and possibly quick shutdown after Boeing fumbled its first shot at the tanker contract in 2003.
In early 2007, Boeing received 36 orders for the aircraft, boosting backlog for the jet to 49 unfilled orders as of last month. It will take until 2012 to fill those.
For that reason, many of those working on the 767 line no longer feel their jobs depend solely on the tanker deal. But winning it would ensure the line keeps running beyond the foreseeable future, said Tom Wroblewski, president of District 751 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
“To us, this (decision) guarantees longevity on the 767 line,” he said. “This guarantees our future here in Everett and on the 767 line.”
Richard Pedersen of Everett, an engineer in the 767 division for the past 30 years, said he believes the plane is the best for the tanker job.
“The ‘67’s a good airplane, and it has a lot of good uses past just passengers,” he said, noting that Boeing already is producing 767-based refueling tankers for Italy and Japan.
After 767 deliveries peaked at 63 in 1992, they have slowed since, with just a dozen being rolled out each year in 2006 and 2007. Despite receiving no new orders for the jet since last year, Boeing officials say there is continued interest in it. Analysts also have suggested that as delays pile up for the 787 Dreamliner program, airlines might seek 767s to use in the interim.
Jason Redrup, a body structures Machinist for the 767, said the 767 is a “proven product” that should be used as the tanker. He and Mike McDougall, who works on the 767’s wing line, said they’re not certain where they’d work if the 767 line were to be shut down.
More than that, they said winning the contract would mean boosted production rates and added jobs on the 767 production line, not just security for those already building the plane. Boeing claims the 767 tanker program would support 9,000 jobs in Washington state alone.
For now, with enough work to last a few years and a new shot at winning the tanker contract, 767 Machinists say they’re cautiously optimistic production will continue on the model.
“Once a line shuts down, those jobs are lost forever,” Redrup said.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
