Let me begin by saying that, while I am saddened that Western Washington has lost the potential for so many new jobs with the loss of the second 787 production line, it should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone that the two main parties responsible for Boeing’s decision to start that second line out of state, the union and our esteemed governor, are the quickest to blame management for that decision.
First, the union: They wanted a job security clause in the contract, and Boeing was right not to give it to them, because the union would not agree to the 10-year no strike clause. Every three years, like clockwork, the Machinist’s union will go on strike, and not care about the consequences of their actions, and as a result, production is all but stopped. How can any business continue to operate while being held hostage by such thuggish tactics? The answer is, “They cannot.”
Second, Ms. Gregoire: She has done everything within her power to make Washington state so unfriendly for businesses that it is impossible for any business to survive, especially in this economy. During the last strike, she joined strikers on the picket line, shamelessly courting the 30,000-plus votes of union members by pretending to care about the union. Her tax-and-spend policies in running this state have only succeeded in running the state into the ground. How can anybody hope to live under her oppressive tax programs? The answer is, “They cannot.”
There is a major difference between assigning blame, and accepting responsibility: Sadly, the union and the governor have yet to learn that distinction.
John S. Paul
Mukilteo
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