Tax-subsidized Boeing Co.
snubs Washington again
(The following is from the Society of
Professional Engineering Employees
in Aerospace, International Federation
of Professional and Technical Engi-
neers Local 2001)
SEATTLE — The Boeing Com-
pany’s decision to move large portions
of its Defense, Space and Security Di-
vision out of the Puget Sound region is
the latest snub by corporate leaders to
the engineers and technical workers
who designed every successful Boeing
product, and to Washington state tax-
payers.
Boeing announced Sept. 29 the de-
parture of the Airborne Warning and
Control System (AWACS), Airborne
Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)
and the F-22 Raptor programs from the
Puget Sound region to Oklahoma City
and St. Louis, Mo. Engineers and tech-
nical workers represented by the Soci-
ety of Professional Engineering Em-
ployees in Aerospace (SPEEA),
International Federation of Professional
and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Lo-
cal 2001, will bear the brunt of the job
losses. SPEEA represents 2,258 em-
ployees in the Boeing division.
The latest job losses come less than
one year after Washington legislators
approved $8.7 billion in tax breaks for
the state’s aerospace industry, with Boe-
ing in line to receive the lion’s share.
“The silence from Olympia is deaf-
ening,” said Ray Goforth, SPEEA ex-
ecutive director. “Why are Washington
taxpayers subsidizing Boeing to move
thousands of jobs out of state?”
The cuts will impact large segments
of employees at the Boeing Kent Space
Center and at the Seattle Developmental
Center, with other locations also af-
fected. SPEEA represents 914 in Kent
and 920 at the Seattle Developmental
Center.
Approved during a special session
called by Gov. Jay Inslee (D) in No-
vember 2013, the Aerospace Tax Pref-
erence Bill grants the tax breaks with no
reciprocal requirement that companies
enhance or even maintain current job
levels in Washington. The legislation re-
mains the largest tax break in U.S. his-
tory.
Since passing the aerospace tax
breaks, Boeing announced plans to
move 1,000 Research and Technology
jobs and 1,000 Commercial Airplane
Support Services jobs out of Washing-
ton state.
“Every state except Washington that
offered Boeing tax breaks for the 777X
program tied jobs to the legislation,”
Goforth said. “Now, we have taxpayers
subsidizing the movement of good en-
gineering, technical and machinist jobs
out of our state.”
SPEEA will do a thorough review of
the company’s plans and its rollout to
ensure members are dealt with accord-
ing to provisions outlined in union con-
tracts. The closing of the program in
Washington will be the subject of ef-
fects bargaining in the coming months.
SPEEA represents 24,450 aerospace
engineers, technical workers and pilots
at Boeing facilities in Washington, Ore-
gon, Kansas, California, Utah and
Florida.
Washington Voters —
People not currently registered to
vote in the State of Washington
have until 8 days before the elec-
tion to register in person (Oct.
27). Voter registration and ad-
dress change/updates deadline
Oct. 6. Election Day is Nov. 4.
Your Local Union Dentist!
Convenient locations throughout
Washington and Oregon
• NO INSURANCE/RETIRED? Receive 35% off for most dental procedures
(25% off most specialties).
• TIRED OF CORPORATE DENTISTRY? Come and try one of our quality and
independently-owned locations!
Shop Union and Pay Less!
Over 50 locations to serve you in Oregon & Washington!
Oregon and SW Washington
Beaverton - 503.641.4207
Chehalis - 360.996.4075
NEW! Clackamas - 503.905.3380
Gresham - 503.253.4979
Longview - 360.578.9999
OCTOBER 3, 2014
NEW! NE Portland - 503.254.0888
NEW! Downtown Portland -
503.224.0133
Salem - 503.391.8920
Salmon Creek - 360.718.2355
NEW! Tigard - 503.906.8600
Western Washington
Arlington - 360.658.3131
Auburn - 253.333.9500
Bellevue - 425.450.9500
Bellingham - 360.734.1999
Bonney Lake - 253.862.1015
Bothell - 425.806.0077
Carnation - 425.333.4101
Everett - 425.513.2000
Federal Way - 253.838.3232
Issaquah - 425.391.7645
Kent - 253.856.3384
Lakewood - 253.581.2888
Lynnwood - 425.744.1022
NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
Maple Valley - 425.432.4131
Marysville - 360.651.1882
Monroe - 360.794.0717
Mount Vernon - 360.848.6777
Olympia - 360.866.7669
Poulsbo - 360.697.2777
Puyallup - 253.770.4342
Renton - 425.430.2029
Redmond - 206.953.5850
SeaTac - 206.243.7788
Seattle - 206.623.2666
Sequim - 360.797.1100
Shoreline - 206.542.4444
NEW! Silverdale -
360.915.5977
Snohomish - 425-374.8451
Tacoma - 253.759.9291
Tukwila - 425.291.9555
Eastern Washington
Ellensburg - 509.790.0080
Kennewick - 509.737.8555
Pasco - 509.542.9981
Spokane - 509.536.9999
Spokane (North) - 509.468.0866
Spokane Valley - 509.924.0055
Wenatchee - 509.886.0500
Yakima - 509.457.5050
PAGE 9