The Seattle Times has an article where they interviewed Jim Albaugh, chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes on Monday. He said that the Northwest is Boeing’s preference on where they would like to build future planes, but:
But he attached a condition: The Puget Sound region will be favored only if the Machinists union moderates its future wage demands and avoids strikes.
“This is where our people want to live. This is where we want to be. We’ve had a great partnership with the people of Washington, and I hope it continues for a long, long time,” he said. “I caveat that by saying, it’s going to be a much more competitive environment out there in the future. And work anyplace is not an entitlement.” – Seattle Times
He also said that the next plan after the 787 would determine the future of Boeing’s manufacturing in Washington. That future would depend on two things: One, no strikes; and two, lowered escalation of wages in the future . Those issues will remain deal breakers for placing future work here.
