EVERETT — They cheered in South Carolina and jeered in Washington on Thursday when the Boeing Co. announced it would consolidate production of the 787 Dreamliner.
The company intends to phase out work on the passenger jet in Everett by the middle of next year. Boeing officials made no promises to revive the line, even if demand for the passenger jet rebounds to its pre-pandemic levels.
Here is a sample of reactions expressed in statements, on Twitter and in press conferences:
Stan Deal “The Boeing 787 is the tremendous success it is today thanks to our great teammates in Everett. They helped give birth to an airplane that changed how airlines and passengers want to fly. We extensively evaluated every aspect of the program and engaged with our stakeholders on how we can best partner moving forward.”
— Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Jay Inslee “Today’s announcement is an insult to the hardworking aerospace employees who build 787s. I understand the serious market forces Boeing faces today. What I don’t understand is why the company can’t commit to restoring production here when the market for this plane improves.”
— Washington Gov. Jay Inslee
Henry McMaster “Today’s announcement is a testament to our hardworking people, and to the fact that companies know they can find long-term success right here in South Carolina.”
— South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster
Jon Holden “IAM District 751 believes this is the wrong decision and just another in a string of bad decisions Boeing has made that fails to capitalize on the strengths of our workforce. Additionally, favoring a non-union site is only about control of the workforce, nothing more.”
— Jon Holden, president, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751
Suzan DelBene “This decision is misguided and hurts the communities and workers that have helped make the company so successful. I will work with my colleagues in the Washington congressional delegation, state officials, and private sector leaders to bring the 787 back to Everett.”
— U.S. Rep Suzan DelBene
Rick Larsen “Boeing’s decision to pull its 787 production out of Washington state is shortsighted and misplaced. As the economy comes back and air travel returns, I will fight to bring 787 production back to Everett and grow aerospace jobs in Northwest Washington.”
— U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen
Cassie Franklin “This isn’t a betrayal. This is a company making a decision — a really difficult decision in unprecedented times.”
— Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin
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