What people are saying about the deal between Boeing and the Machinist union

  • Thursday, December 1, 2011 11:27am
  • Business

Here’s a sample of what people are saying about a tentative agreement between the Boeing Co. and its Machinists union. The deal will settle a federal labor dispute and secure 737 MAX work in Renton if Machinists members ratify a new four-year labor contract.

“We need to build airplanes, not worry about strikes. I congratulate our union leadership and the company leadership for doing something early. This is a great thing.”

— Chris Louye, who works for the Boeing and Machinists’ joint programs.

“This is a monumental day for the future of aerospace in Washington state. There is no better news for our region’s economy than a contract agreement between Boeing and the Machinists, and confirmation that Renton will remain home to the 737 line. The ramifications of this news will be felt in businesses large and small, around kitchen tables, and in communities throughout the Puget Sound for years to come.”

— U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.

“This agreement recognizes the strength, dedication and value of Washington’s skilled and highly-valued aerospace workforce and the importance of fair and predictable time tables for Boeing’s customers. Washington’s workers can continue to build airplanes today and well into the future.”

— Washington Aerospace Partnership co-chairs Tayloe Washburn, Bob Drewel and Jeff Johnson.

“The Boeing Company’s commitment to work here in the state of Washington and in the Puget Sound region is big. It’s a pretty tough (contract) to just say no to. The last thing we want to do is go to contract negotiations and travel down the same roads we had to in the past.”

— Rod Sigvartson, who works for the Boeing and Machinists’ joint programs.

“This is a tsunami-sized deal between Boeing and the Machinists union. It is a transformation of the relationship between the company and workers to focus on quality, performance, and incentives.”

— U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.

“We recognize that this contract is not without its sacrifices, and I applaud the women and men of the IAM for making those sacrifices to protect the future of aerospace in Washington state. I also want to thank the Boeing Co. for its good-faith responsible negotiations.”

— Snohomish County executive Aaron Reardon.

“This is momentous news for all of Washington, and is further evidence that our aerospace workers are the best in the world. I applaud IAM and Boeing for reaching a contract agreement and working together to bring these thousands of good jobs for decades to come to Washington.”

— U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash.

“This is really good news for employees, our communities and Boeing. This was a very proactive effort to make sure these planes are designed and built by the most experienced and productive workforce in the world.”

— Tom McCarty, president of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace.

“Washington state is, and will continue to be, the world’s premier center for aerospace known for building the safest and most innovative planes. In the last few years, I’m proud that Washington state has landed the 787, the Air Force refueling tanker, and now the 737 MAX.”

— Gov. Chris Gregoire.

“We have secured jobs for our members; we have secured jobs for the state of Washington and for this community.”

— Tom Wroblewski, president of the local 751 Machinists union.

“Obviously we’d have loved to see the 737 MAX built at Boeing’s Everett facility, but without question, keeping these jobs in our region is a huge victory for all of us. We now immediately turn our focus to ensuring Snohomish County will be home to the 777 and the next generation of airplanes.”

— Snohomish County Council Chair Dave Somers.

“The 737 MAX siting decision is great news for the State of Washington and our region. The tentative contract agreement between the International Association of Machinists and Boeing today is not only proof in the strength of partnership but is a positive signal for future opportunities in Snohomish County and the Puget Sound Region.”

— Troy McClelland, CEO and president of Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

FILE — Boeing 737 MAX8 airplanes on the assembly line at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on March 27, 2019. Boeing said on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that it was shaking up the leadership in its commercial airplanes unit after a harrowing incident last month during which a piece fell off a 737 Max 9 jet in flight. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Federal judge rejects Boeing’s guilty plea related to 737 Max crashes

The plea agreement included a fine of up to $487 million and three years of probation.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.