Today's announcement from Boeing that it is buying a South Carolina production plant that produces sections of the 787 rear fuselage triggered immediate, unequivocal responses from some of the state's business leaders: It is time to make a compelling case for Washington.
Despite a statement from Gov. Chris Gregoire saying that Boeing has not made any decisions about a possible second 787 production line, the group is concerned that labor dispute and other factors could lead the company to look to South Carolina to do just that.
In a statement released this morning, Washington Roundtable President Steve Mullin said such a move would be a "devastating blow" to the Washington state economy. The press release summarized the reaction from several business leaders.
“This is our wake-up call," added AWB President Don Brunell. "In this economic climate, businesses must locate where they have the best chance for success. If staying in Washington makes Boeing less competitive, it has to look at other options. Boeing must deliver value to their customers by delivering products cost-effectively and on time. That means Boeing cannot have frequent strikes and labor discord.”
