Boeing Chooses Charleston For Second 787 Line

Boeing is opening its second 787 assembly line in South Carolina, the company said Wednesday in an announcement that surprised few but sent shock waves of disappointment throughout Washington state.

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The company said it chose North Charleston over Everett because it said the location would best support its 787 business plan as it increases production rates. See complete Boeing statement

"I'm disappointed. I'm angry. I hurt for the workers. I think Boeing made the wrong decision," Gov. Chris Gregoire said at a news conference less than an hour after the announcement.

In a statement, Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon said that "Washington state must make a conscious decision to do whatever is reasonably necessary to aggressively compete to keep the jobs we have and grow our economy or risk more losses."

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson said he is "deeply disappointed by this turn of events."

"I had hoped for a different outcome," he said in a statement. "This decision will have an adverse impact on many loyal and dedicated workers, suppliers and sub contractors here in Puget Sound."

Sen. Patty Murray said Boeing is overlooking its well-trained workers. The Washington Democrat had been trying to broker a deal between the company and the machinists union to build the second 787 production line production in Everett.

Union machinists, angry and disappointed, agreed with Murray.

Many workers believed that their experience and expertise would be considered more valuable than the lower wages in South Carolina and think Boeing will suffer dealing with a work force that doesn't know aviation.

"It just made me feel terrible (that the) company would do that to us now," said Boeing employee Kent Crumrine, who told KIRO 7 reporter Chris Legeros that he thought eventually Boeing jobs would disappear in the state.

Boeing wanted long-term guarantees of no strikes from the union if the company was to expand their operations in Everett.

"If they would have given us some perks not to strike, we would have done that," said union member Bobbie Skar.

Others outside the industry told Legeros they thought the machinists were too stubborn and should have made more concessions.

"They're very arrogant. They act as if nobody else can build an airplane," said Matt Cawby.

Boeing insists the company will use the same standard for quality in South Carolina as it does in Washington.

An angry statement released by Machinists Union District President Tom Wroblewski said Boeing betrayed the union which had worked hard to reach an agreement with the airplane maker.

"It was obvious to me that Boeing wasn't really interested in working with us. They didn't take our proposals seriously and they never offered any proposals of their own. Most of the time, they didn't even take notes," said Wroblewski. See complete Union statement

The announcement came just after South Carolina legislators announced they approved an economic incentive package believed to be tailored to lure the Boeing assembly plant to the state.

The approval came at the end of a two-day session that also gave a nod to a bill that would extend jobless benefits for some state residents. Both measures head to Republican Gov. Mark Sanford.

The incentive package would allow lawmakers to guarantee tax breaks and low-interest loans for an unidentified economic development prospect.