Washington Wednesday - News From Around Washington

IAM 751 applauds Boeing plan to add 737 MAX line in Everett
​EVERETT, Wash. (Jan. 31, 2023) — The Boeing Co. announced on Monday that, due to strong product demand, it will add a fourth 737 MAX production line for its single-aisle family to existing factory space in Everett, Wash. According to the company, the new line is expected to increase 737 MAX production capacity by 25 percent and will be operational in 2024.
“This is a great opportunity to utilize the space available in Everett,” said IAM District 751 President and Directing Business Representative Jon Holden. “Our members can make a real impact in meeting the production needs for the 737.”
In an interview with KIRO News, Holden called the news a win-win situation for more than just future Boeing workers.
“We can own homes. We can save for our families to get a higher education or go into trade school. We can do a lot in our community with these jobs,” Holden said.
Most of the team that will open and work on this fourth line, being called The North Line, will be current Everett employees transitioning from areas where work is winding down. The current 737 lines are staying in Renton.
The North Line is a way for the Boeing Co. to address customer demand, especially as the -7 and -10 work towards certification. At this point, the company has a backlog of nearly 4,300 737s in the years ahead. Work on preparing the facility is already under way.

In a memo to employees sent Monday, Stan Deal, President & CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes wrote:
“To be clear, we are not taking the 737 out of Renton – just adding capacity to capture customer demand, especially for the newer models like the -8200 and 737-10. Everett is a great fit with the availability of highly-skilled workers and factory space.
“In addition to preparing the facility, we have begun the process of notifying and preparing our suppliers, customers, unions and employees as we take the necessary steps to create a new line. We are methodically working through all of our checks and balances keeping safety and quality top of mind.
“We greatly appreciate the support of the Washington delegation in Congress, especially Senators Murray and Cantwell and Representatives Smith and Larsen, who represent our Renton and Everett sites respectively, as well as legislative leaders in Olympia, the Mayors of Everett and Renton, and the Snohomish County Executive.
 “We also thank the IAM for working closely with us to support the safe certification of the MAX-7 and MAX-10. This announcement underscores our commitment to the state and to Washington workers.”
IAM District 751, which represents more than 30,000 members at the Boeing Co. in Washington state and Oregon, will continue to bring its members new information on the North Line as it becomes available, including how staffing will occur.
Learn more at IAM751.org.
Short URL: https://www.thestand.org/?p=114065

Labor Center’s Intro to Workplace Representation will be in March

SEATTLE (Jan. 27, 2023) — Are you a union member looking for ways to address and solve problems at your workplace? Or a new or experienced shop steward looking for a fresh take on supporting your coworkers?

Join the Washington Labor Education and Research Center for Building Workplace Power: An Introduction to Workplace Representation. This four-week training will cover the basic laws, principles and skills of contract enforcement, with an emphasis on the organizing skills we need to build unity and power at work. Hybrid classes (in-person and online) will take place each Tuesday in March from 6 to 8 p.m. Registration is now open!
Each Tuesday’s class is part of the series and participants completing all four sessions will receive a certificate of completion.
“I recommend this 4-part series to staff who work with stewards and stewards who are passionate about learning the fundamentals of how organizing, contract enforcement, and representational work overlap,” said Anjulie Bashira Knowles, Member Resource Center Representative for SEIU Local 925. “All are essential to building stronger union engagement. Our discussions were educational, the teaching techniques were highly interactive, and through this opportunity I was able to develop my skills and immediately put them into practice in my day-to-day work!”
“I attended the Introduction to Workplace Representation training,” said Patrice Robinson, Seattle Association of Educational Office Professionals. “The trainers explained concepts and answered questions thoroughly. I would recommend this training to anyone who is involved in union work.”
In-person participants will meet at the Georgetown Apprenticeship and Education Center, 6737 Corson Ave. S. in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. The Labor Center has free parking and is accessible by Metro.
The full series costs $40 per person and participants are encouraged to ask their union to pay the cost. No one turned away for lack of funds. Childcare support and language interpretation available with advance registration. Please bring a copy of your union contract to each session.
Get more information or go ahead and register today!
Short URL: https://www.thestand.org/?p=113945