The Olympian -Â Last weekâs news that Boeing and its machinists have agreed to build the 737 MAX in Renton was just the shot in the arm this state needed.
The tentative contract, which must be ratified by union members, settles the National Labor Relations Board dispute, calls for a 2 percent annual pay increase in each of the four years of the contract, awards machinists a $5,000 signing bonus and boosts pension benefits. The agreement was negotiated in secret and came as a shock because the accord was reached 10 months before the existing contract expires…
Washingtonâs two U.S. senators, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, were equally quick with a news release spelling out their joy.
âThis is a tsunami-sized deal between Boeing and the machinists union,â Cantwell said. âIt is a transformation of the relationship between the company and workers to focus on quality, performance, and incentives. This deal keeps jobs in the Northwest with the 737 MAX production and keeps the long-term skills set of building fuel-efficient planes in the Northwest. The Puget Sound area wins because it means the Northwest will continue to be the epicenter of aerospace jobs long into the future.â
As one of the most beautiful states in the unionâand one of the richest in natural resourcesâWashington has a special interest in energy and environmental policy. And Maria has fought hard to uphold the stateâs conservation tradition, while also working to bring our energy policy into the 21st century.
Maria knows Washingtonâs business community â because, as an executive at an innovative software company, she was part of it. And as a Senator, sheâs led the way in helping businesses large and small throughout Washington grow, thrive, and create jobs.
Maria has taken a leadership role on safety and security issues, including defending our borders, strengthening our military, cracking down on gangs, and taking on drug crime in Washington communities
Middle-class families around Washington and across the country are facing tough timesâand tough decisions about balancing the family checkbook each month. Maria has fought to strengthen the economic security of Washington families and cut taxes for middle-class families.
