SEATTLE — The state’s largest labor organization has canceled a speaking invitation for Gov. Jay Inslee due to lingering tensions over Boeing tax breaks and a worker pension freeze.
The Seattle Times reported that the Democratic governor had been set to headline the Washington State Labor Council’s annual convention Thursday in SeaTac.
Council president Jeffrey Johnson said he told Inslee it would be better if he didn’t speak after talking with other union leaders.
Johnson said feeling are “pretty raw” in the labor community over the governor’s role in securing Boeing’s $8.7 billion tax break during a special session in 2013. Members also resent his pressure on the Machinists union to vote on a contract in 2014 that froze the company’s traditional pension.
Inslee spokesman David Postman said the canceling the governor’s speech was Johnson’s decision. He said the governor respects the council and its leader works closely with them on many issues.
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