Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 28, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke Meets with Boeing and Machinists Leaders to Avert Strike; Boeing Reaffirms Commitment to State

OLYMPIA-- Gov. Gary Locke today met with the top leaders of Boeing Commercial Airplanes and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers to help avert a potential strike.

The governor met one-on-one this morning with Mark Blondin, president of the Machinists, and later with Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, to discuss the issues surrounding the potential strike.

The Machinists expressed deep concern about job security and about Boeing’s long-term commitment to the state. The governor addressed those issues and Boeing’s concerns with Mulally in a separate meeting.

“Alan Mulally assured me that Boeing is committed to building commercial aircraft in Washington state for years to come,” Locke said. “Those are welcome words to the many families and businesses that depend on Boeing. We want to see Boeing remain firmly planted in our state.”

“Everyone loses in a strike, especially in this down economy,” Locke said. “We want to do everything we can to avoid a strike.”

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