Gov. Gregoire�s statement on Boeing layoffs

For Immediate Release: January 9, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today released the following statement on the announcement of layoffs by The Boeing Company:

�The announcement that Boeing plans to lay off part of its work force is sad and disappointing, and yet more evidence of the deepening national recession. I have been in touch with Scott Carson, Boeing�s chief executive and president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. While I understand this was a business decision, I feel for those workers and their families.

�Those Boeing employees affected by today�s announcement should know that Washington�s Employment Security Department and local rapid response teams will help them file for unemployment insurance and explore other job opportunities. Our highest priority is to help those workers find other good jobs as quickly as possible.

�Today�s announcement follows yesterday�s news that the state set a record number of new unemployment claims during the month of December. I want all Washingtonians to know that I continue to work with our state�s congressional delegation, as well as President-elect Obama, on a plan to immediately put people to work through a federal economic recovery package. In addition, I will soon announce my state-sponsored economic recovery strategy to fund ready-to-go projects that will put our people to work and help build a strong, sustainable economy.�