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Tanker contract a big win for labor

A fact that has been overlooked in the showdown between Boeing and EADS over a $35 billion Air Force tanker contract is that the Boeing contract award is actually also a big victory for organized labor.

As POLITICO's Jen DiMascio reported yesterday, EADS had planed to build the tanker in Alabama, a state that does not rely heavily on unionized labor -- while Boeing would assemble the plane in labor-friendly Washington state.

“The Pentagon’s decision will result in an American aircraft, built by American workers for America’s warriors,” said Tom Buffenbarger, president of the International Association of Machinists, in a release. “With more than 40,000 U.S. jobs at stake, this decision also significantly strengthens the core of the U.S. aerospace manufacturing industry.”

According to the union's statement, IAM has been deeply involved in the 10-year wrangling over the contract in an effort to help Boeing secure the contract. The union represents more than 35,000 Boeing employees.


Eric D. Schwerin
Rosemont Seneca Partners, LLC
1010 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Suite 705
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-1880
eschwerin@rosemontseneca.com
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