"Whatever it takes to keep
Boeing here," remains our battle cry in Olympia. Union members
have joined in the fight by sending literally thousands of e-mail
and phone messages to state legislators, who have heard our message
that "These jobs are worth fighting for!"
Perhaps nothing drove this point home more than the recent news
articles reporting other states are offering millions of dollars
in incentives to lure Boeing and its family-wage jobs to their
region. These enticements are proof that our state lawmakers MUST
take action NOW because the decision of where to build the 7E7
is hanging in the balance. Thanks to an intensive lobbying campaign
by the Union and our members, state lawmakers not only understand
the urgency of making changes, but have put partisan politics
aside to work issues Boeing has identified as key to preserving
jobs in Washington State.
Legislative leaders even went so far as to appoint a special task
force specifically assigned to addressing Boeing issues. Systematically,
lawmakers have worked each issue. As the regular session ended,
five issues were resolved. Only one remained pending, and it was
being worked.
Keep in mind that each of these measures does more than just preserve
Boeing jobs and enhance our chances of securing the 7E7. Each
of these bills reaches beyond Boeing and improves the business
climate, which will help attract and retain other employers in
this region -- again with the goal of creating and preserving
jobs.
Members need to continue to keep pressure on legislators with
e-mails and phone calls as the issues arise. Check the Union web
site (www.iam751.org) for action alerts or call the 751 hotline
at 1-800-763-1310 for updates. The Company expects to finalize
7E7 criteria in the next month or two. Once the Union has the
7E7 list, expect a tireless effort to complete those items as
well -- including a public relations campaign involving members
educating the community.
Following is a summary of the various bills legislators have worked,
which Boeing identified as priority issues:
Shoreline
Growth Act (HB1933) -
Revisions were made to help clear the way for construction of
a pier north of the old Mukilteo tanker site, which could handle
the shipment of large aircraft parts to the Boeing plant. While
the revisions apply to all waterfront proposals, this would make
building a pier at Mukilteo a more straightforward task for Boeing.
The Union worked with a coalition of legislators and lobbyists
representing labor, business and the environment to come up with
revisions that everyone could support.
Use Tax
(HB1977) - Basically,
Boeing (as well as other businesses) had been exempt from paying
this tax for many years. Last year the exemption was erased, which
would have required Boeing to pay tax on all supplies and repairs,
which before had been exempted for years. This would have costs
businesses $60 million this year ($20 million of it would have
been Boeing's share). HB1977 restored the previous exemption.
I-Codes
(HB1734) - These revisions
involve building codes and the permitting process. The bill would
call for universal codes to be used statewide so procedures/fees
would be the same throughout Washington state - regardless of
the city or county.
Transportation - The House and Senate came together
and agreed upon a transportation plan that includes a 5¢
gas tax, as well as flexible funding to address transit, roads
and freight mobility issues.
Unemployment
Insurance (HB2152) - After
the legislature approved an overhaul of the unemployment system
last year, the building industry put forth a referendum that convinced
voters to reject the revisions. Now the legislature is making
a second attempt at unemployment insurance reform with the goal
of restoring fairness to the unemployment insurance system. The
reform aims to ensure each business pays their fair share equally.
Beyond these issues, the Union has had success on the following
bills impacting our members:
Elevator
Maintenance (SB5942) -
Passed amendment (98-0 in the House and 49-0 in the Senate). This
will allow our facilities/maintenance employees to continue to
perform elevator maintenance at Boeing without any requirement
for certification and licensing.
Electrical Bill (SB5713) - Passed
amendment (97-1 in the House and 38-10 in the Senate) to exempt
our members from being regulated. Therefore, our members can continue
to perform their job with no additional testing or licensing required.
Prescription
Drug Coverage (ESSB5904)-
While the House and Senate passed two separate versions, a compromise
bill most likely will be approved. It is a good start to help
control the cost of prescription drugs in this state and a piece
of legislation to build on for the future.
Workplace
Safety (SB5161) - The
Union continues to fight attempts to eliminate the workplace ergonomics
rule.
The Union will continue to work these issues, as well as any criteria
Boeing announces is necessary for the 7E7 to land in Puget Sound.
Again, the goal of these efforts is jobs for the future in this
region.