July 2003 Aero For
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July 2003 751 AERO MECHANIC Page VOL. 57 NO. 6 JULY 2003 Innovative Proposal Highlights Advantages Governor Gary Locke and his Action top-notch proposal on June 20 to build Washington team demonstrated “We Can the 7E7 in Washington State. It was only Do It” as they presented Boeing with a fitting that the Governor’s press confer- ence be held on Boeing Field surrounded by nearly a hundred Machinists Union members, as this state put its best foot forward to secure the new airplane. The Union was an integral part of the Action Washington team - working closely with state legislators in Olympia, coordinating efforts with Governor 751’s Ron McGaha, flanked by nearly a hundred members, applaud the Locke, offering innovative ideas and proposal Governor Gary Locke submitted to land the 7E7 in this state. concepts, and launching a public rela- tions campaign to educate the surround- posals of their own designed to lure the age and believe we have the winning ing community. The 20+ other states aerospace giant to their region. proposal. A competitive proposal that 751 President Mark Blondin speaks submitting bids for the plane understand Governor Locke noted, “We put to- clearly will demonstrate the best place to at the Action Washington kickoff. the value of these jobs and crafted pro- gether a very strong and compelling pack- Continued on page 12 Hammering Home Our Message Unemployment Reform Machinists Union members stepped forward and response has been Protects Benefits demonstrated “We Can Do It” as they took our message overwhelming as Thanks to a tremendous effort by our members, we to the streets. One item on Boeing’s criteria list for the individuals do succeeded in passing unemployment insurance (UI) re- 7E7 is public support, and the Union campaign is their part to retain form in the final hours of the second special session of the designed to show just that. Every day our logo to land the state’s largest legislature. From the initial session in January, our goal the 7E7 is prominently seen throughout the region. The private employer. remained to protect unemployment benefits for our laid- Stewards have off members. canvassed area Steward Joe Nearly 100 members traveled to Olympia to attend a Smith and businesses and hearing on June 4 to demonstrate their concern over any his son Cole asked them to dis- proposal that would slash benefits for our members. 751- place a 7E7 play “We Can Do member Rick McKinney testified alongside 751 Political poster in an It” posters. Sev- Director Linda Lanham. Other members packed the hear- area grocery eral area busi- ing room holding signs declaring “We Can Do It” and store. nesses heard Stewards “Jobs Worth Fighting For.” about the effort have The support helped ensure unemployment reform passed through the local approached the Senate with a 33-12 vote and was approved in the media and called businesses to House by a 57-33 vote. the Union hall or support our Steward Todd Small hammers in The reform that passed protects the maximum weekly visited our effort. a yard sign on the 7E7. Nearly benefit amount ($496) for our laid-off members and pushes website to request 10,000 signs were posted. Continued on page 3 a poster. One business did more than just put up a poster - the owner of cheerstix.com learned of the campaign while Continued on page 12 Tax Incentive Package Enhances State’s Chances District 751 was proud to be on member of the Action Washington TAX INCENTIVE DETAILS hand as Governor Gary Locke signed team. the “Aerospace Tax Incentive Pack- With the future of Washington B&O rate reduction for aerospace industry age” into law on June 18 (see box state’s largest private employer and B&O tax credit for research & development right for details). This innovative pack- the future of tens of thousands of work- Sales tax exemption for computer hardware ing families on the line, Governor and software used in design and engineering age offers an estimated $3 billion in of planes and components tax incentives to the aerospace indus- Locke displayed incredible insight and Sales tax exemption on any new construction try over the next 20 years, if Boeing creativity, as he crafted a very targeted or improvement either in Everett or Moses Lake builds the 7E7 here in Washington. tax incentive, that coupled with the 751-member Rick McKinney (l) and 751 Political Property tax relief on new facilities and The incentives are part of the state’s many other advantages this region has Director Linda Lanham testify at an unemploy- equipment for Everett or Moses Lake “Action Washington” bid to build the to offer, should ensure Washington ment reform hearing, which helped ensure the * Incentives would apply to all existing Boeing employees and facilities, weekly maximum benefit our laid-off members if 7E7 is built in Washington. No incentives if another state is chosen. new plane. 751 has been an active Continued on page 3 receive remains at $496. Running for Lights, Camera, Scholarship Inside Index the Dogs Action Success President's Message ......2 Political Action ............... 3 Second annual Flight for Member produces Paul Swalwell selected to Community Service....... 5 Sight Fun Run raises documentary that’s receive $4,000 IAM Scholarship Joint Programs ................7 over $9,000 for Guide getting lots of attention to Renton Technical College Dogs of America Retirement...................... 9 4 7 6 Want Ads ........................10 Page 2 751 AERO MECHANIC July 2003 REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT Coalitions Should Promote Job Growth for Region by Mark Blondin, are not just talking final as- sity of Washington that will focus on nomic development councils, we can District President sembly jobs, but manufac- advanced composites (the material that help bring more jobs to this region and turing, inspection, and other will mainly comprise the 7E7). The Union provide direction for what type of jobs In a little over one month support jobs, as well. believes this FAA Center could be the come to this state. since Boeing unveiled its This Union’s top priority catalyst to ensure that employees at Au- Imagine what we can accomplish if criteria for the 7E7, this state remains jobs for our mem- burn and Frederickson secure a big part we channel the same energy, creativity has stepped up and shown bers; however, to obtain this of the 7E7. To make wings and a fuse- and teamwork into attracting other in- incredible leadership. we must ensure that Boeing lage out of composite material will re- dustries to this state that we put into Elected officials, commu- has a viable future in com- quire a huge autoclave (much bigger drafting the 7E7 proposal. Let’s use these nity leaders, and union lead- mercial airplanes. Yes, if we than the one at DC used to produce B-2 coalitions to be the start of something ers came together with a “We Can Do It” get the 7E7 built here it will not mean as wings). Currently, there are none in the and build on the enthusiasm. We know attitude to perform a tremendous amount many jobs as other airplane lines be- world that can accommodate the new Washington is a great place to live and of work and put together a top-notch cause Boeing plans to use larger inte- plane. Such an autoclave would be a work so let’s go out and tell the world – proposal that should ensure the new air- grated parts. That is true whether or not huge investment for Boeing so why not much the same way the other states are plane is built here by the members who the plane is built here or somewhere else. look for partners at the proposed FAA trying to get the 7E7. This active pursuit have built every Boeing commercial That is the future Boeing envisions. To Center of Excellence. If composites are of jobs is needed to revive the Northwest plane since the 707. preserve our role in building the planes the direction of future planes, what bet- economy. Rather than having the 7E7 Teamwork was key to getting things calls for innovative thinking, and that is ter place to build them than here in a proposal be the end of this creative en- accomplished in this short period of time. just what our Union delivered. partnership with the FAA Center of Ex- ergy, why not use it as the beginning. We I am proud our Union was an integral Projects such as the new Mukilteo cellence. By taking a leadership role in know “We Can Do It” - it’s time other part of both the legislative action and pier can be viewed as either a threat or an composite research and exploring new industries learned it, too. crafting the proposal. advantage. Our challenge is to make sure ground, our members can continue to be Some members have asked why the it is an advantage and one that will trans- a critical part of all future airplanes. District Lodge 751, Union has taken the lead on this. Others late into jobs for our members. These are Many other creative ideas were also International Assn. of questioned why born out of Machinists and we even have to the coali- bid for the work. tions and Aerospace Workers Boeing no partnerships longer com- forged to de- Mark Blondin mands 70 per- velop the President, Directing Business Representative cent of the world 7E7 pro- airplane market. posal for Gloria Millsaps Airbus is a seri- Washington Vice President ous threat, which State. The demands that we proposal Bruce Spalding do things differ- that the Ac- Secretary-Treasurer ently.