Boeing a big topic at rally in Olympia

OLYMPIA — All Dan Nowlin ever wanted to be was an employee of the Boeing Co.

And today he is, working as an equipment engineering technician at the Everett factory.

On Friday, he stood on the steps of the state Capitol with several hundred workers from other unions at a rally where one of the themes was to stop giving Boeing such a generous tax break if it continues reducing its workforce in the state.

“I bleed Boeing blue and I have since I was a little boy,” Nowlin said. “But I believe in accountability for the taxpayer who is paying for those tax breaks.”

Lester Mullen, president of Machinists Local 751A met with lawmakers before the rally to stress the urgency of tightening up the rules for receipt of the tax breaks.

“I told them, (the state) gave the $8.7 billion to Boeing and they promised to maintain and create jobs. Then they promptly turn around and ship jobs out. That’s not fair,” Mullen said. “They make promises and they are not being held accountable.

The hour long rally brought together workers from government and private sector unions. Speakers covered many subjects, most often calling for a higher minimum wage and a strong defense against efforts by Republican state senators to make Washington a right-to-work state.

Roughly 100 members of the International Association of Machinists Local 751 and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) attended.

They cheered loudest when speakers blasted Boeing for shifting 3,000 jobs out of state since November 2013. That’s when the Legislature and Gov. Jay Inslee agreed to extend the suite of incentives through 2040 in exchange for the company’s pledge to build the 777X in Everett

“We want some accountability and we’re going to ask for it,” Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett, told the crowd.

Jon Holden, president of the Machinists Lodge 751, drew applause when he said, “When we make this investment of our tax dollars, we need to get something for it. If we don’t get a commitment, if we don’t get anything we can count on from these companies, than those tax dollars go down the drain.”

Union leaders say the laws enacted in 2013 should have required Boeing and its suppliers to maintain a minimum number of jobs and set an industry wage standard.

Two bills introduced in this year’s legislative session aim to address the unions’ concerns.

One bill requires aerospace companies pay every one their employees a wage just under $20 an hour to be eligible to receive a tax break. The House Labor Committee, on which Sells is the chairman, approved the bill last week.

The second bill targets Boeing. It would reduce the company’s tax break if its workforce falls below certain levels. The greater the decline, the less tax break the company receives.

The Boeing Co., city of Everett and numerous business organizations oppose the bill, now awaiting a hearing in the House Finance Committee.

For now, Inslee is not taking sides.

“The governor has been consistent in saying how important it is to him that the next generation of Boeing planes be built in Washington, which was made possible with passage of the 777X legislation,” David Postman, Inslee’s executive director of communications, wrote in an email.

“He shares, though, the growing frustration that I think this bill speaks to about the loss of Washington jobs since that package was overwhelmingly approved by the Legislature,” he wrote. “The governor will respect the legislative process as that discussion goes on and will reserve any further comment until later.”

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development

The change faced resistance from some residents, who worried about the effects of more density in the neighborhood.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Former Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy Jeremie Zeller appears in court for sentencing on multiple counts of misdemeanor theft Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ex-sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 1 week of jail time for hardware theft

Jeremie Zeller, 47, stole merchandise from Home Depot in south Everett, where he worked overtime as a security guard.

Everett
11 months later, Lake Stevens man charged in fatal Casino Road shooting

Malik Fulson is accused of shooting Joseph Haderlie to death in the parking lot at the Crystal Springs Apartments last April.

T.J. Peters testifies during the murder trial of Alan Dean at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bothell cold case trial now in jury’s hands

In court this week, the ex-boyfriend of Melissa Lee denied any role in her death. The defendant, Alan Dean, didn’t testify.

A speed camera facing west along 220th Street Southwest on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Washington law will allow traffic cams on more city, county roads

The move, led by a Snohomish County Democrat, comes as roadway deaths in the state have hit historic highs.

Mrs. Hildenbrand runs through a spelling exercise with her first grade class on the classroom’s Boxlight interactive display board funded by a pervious tech levy on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lakewood School District’s new levy pitch: This time, it won’t raise taxes

After two levies failed, the district went back to the drawing board, with one levy that would increase taxes and another that would not.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.