What they’re saying about Boeing’s 787 decision
Published 10:36 pm Wednesday, October 28, 2009
“I am deeply disappointed by this turn of events,” said Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson. “I had hoped for a different outcome. The effect of today’s decision will be widely felt in families, schools, local small businesses and community services.”
Patty Blair, 61, of Everett, at the 747 Inn after her shift at the Boeing Co.’s Everett plant, said she was surprised by the news that Boeing chose to locate the second line in South Carolina.
“I was hoping it would go our way and stay here,” said Blair, who works in parts at the plant. “I think it’s a mistake on Boeing’s part — one of the other mistakes with the 787.”
“I am disappointed that Boeing cut off negotiations and passed on a final chance to make this happen,” said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. “Even when they moved headquarters to Chicago, Boeing’s Washington work force remained dedicated to the quality product they make. Now, Boeing has decided to take their second 787 line to South Carolina. It’s a shortsighted decision.”
Ken Stoner, 58, of Everett, believes this decision was already in the works. “You have to plan to move,” Stoner said. “It takes a long time to get the pieces in place.”
“It is now clear, if it wasn’t before, that there weren’t enough training facilities we could build, or a large enough B&O tax break we could give, to keep Boeing from moving their second line to South Carolina. The labor-management divide was just too wide to bridge,” said U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash.
“We are astounded that Boeing has chosen to compound the problems of the 787 program by further fragmenting the supply chain. There is no credible business case for this decision,” said Ray Goforth, executive director of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace.
Richard Quint, 55, a Boeing machinist, said more concessions could have been made by Washington’s Legislature and governor. He was not surprised about Boeing’s decision.
“Boeing’s just been getting greedier and greedier for years,” Quint said. “They’ve got a lot of money in the bank.”
Boeing has made some risky decisions over the last several years,” said state Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett, “and this one appears to have risk in it, too, and if I was a shareholder I’d be concerned about it.”
Jadie Maassen, 23 of Everett, and Aryn Escudero, 21 of Kirkland, had gathered with fellow Boeing mechanics at the Roadhouse Bar and Grill in Everett.
Neither was happy with the decision. Still, both found small silver linings.
Escudero said he hoped the shift in production would speed along orders in Everett and ultimately make the company stronger throughout the U.S.
“It’s just the second line,” he said of the shift to Charleston. “It’s not the main line.”
Maassen faulted the company for seeking cheaper labor, but said the move would ultimately create jobs in another state.
“I hope everything goes well,” she said. “I just wish it would’ve stayed here. It’s selfish.”
“It’s extremely disappointing that Boeing has chosen South Carolina over Washington, but not surprising at all,” said state Rep. Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish. “Instead of providing a level playing field, Washington has consistently put up barriers that make it difficult not only for Boeing to compete, but also for other employers throughout our state.”
“It’s a shame. They’re all set up here. This is definitely going to have an adverse effect on our economy,” said Dustin Rose of Everett. “Having that line would have meant more local jobs. A lot of people here need jobs.”
His sister, Kristina Rose, also of Everett, said she has been expecting Boeing to begin its departure from Snohomish County for awhile.
“They’ve threatened the county and the state before,” she said. “We fixed the freeway for them. Our community has tried to help Boeing.”
“The citizens have put out big time for Boeing management, and I’m disappointed that they are pulling the rug out from under them with this decision,” said U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash.
“Governor Gregoire claims that this was a negotiation between the Union and Boeing. I strongly disagree,” said state Rep. Mike Hope, R-Snohomish. “This was a negotiation between Boeing, the state of South Carolina, and the state of Washington, and we lost. We lost because the business climate in our state needs immediate and dramatic improvement.”
Business is business, said Brett Skorstad of Everett.
“It’s not a good thing, but you can’t fault Boeing,” Skorstad said. “South Carolina must have offered them some incentives. It’s just business.”
“Boeing’s decision to expand its presence in our state, said South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, “with an infusion of jobs and capital investment — the largest announcement in South Carolina history — represents not only enormously good news for our state’s economy, but also a telling dividend from our state’s continued efforts to better our business climate.
“It’s a bum deal that eventually will hurt our economy,” said Rick Nystrom of Camano Island.
Susan Patton of Snohomish blamed Boeing’s troubles with unions.
“I’m a union member,” Patton said. “But the union screwed this up.”
“Boeing’s decision underscores the changing landscape of today’s worldwide business climate,” said Don Brunell, president of the Association of Washington Business. “It is imperative that we redouble our efforts to lure new production lines and other companies to Washington and we will continue to do our part to make sure that happens.”
“The choice of South Carolina is not a surprise,” Joanna Weimer of Everett said. “But this should be a wake-up call to union members to get new leadership.”
Labor costs are cheaper in South Carolina, and that’s what drove the choice to locate the second 787 assembly line there, said Jeff Weimer.
“I think everybody bears a responsibility in this,” said state Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton. “We need to work together, all of us, to re-establish and reassert our commitment to manufacturing in Washington. This isn’t just about aerospace. This is about the future of our state’s economy.”
“In the end of the day I’m disappointed, I’m angry, I hurt for the workers and I think the company made the wrong decision,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire. “There will be other competitions to come and first up is the tanker. I not only expect Washington state to compete, I expect Washington state to win.”
Herald Writers Gale Fiege, Amy Rolph, Jerry Cornfield and Andy Rathbun contributed to this article.
