Association of Washington Business – Updated Weekly
AWB leads nation’s business leaders in call to end Boeing strike
‘Economy at stake’: AWB led an effort that brought together 53 employer groups across 42 states urging a resolution to the Boeing workers strike, now in its eighth week after 33,000 machinists walked off the job Sept. 13. As the machinists vote today on Boeing’s latest contract offer, hopes are high for an end to the strike that’s already cost an estimated $5 billion nationally.
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In a letter to company and union leadership, chambers and associations urged negotiations to resume after workers rejected Boeing’s two previous contract proposals.
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"It's the economy that's at stake,” AWB President Kris Johnson told KING 5 News.
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Nationwide, the aerospace industry directly employs more than 500,000 manufacturing workers and supports more than 2.2 million jobs in America. It pumps $425 billion into the U.S. economy and exports $135.9 billion worth of high-quality, American-made products around the world.
Local suppliers taking a hit: Pathfinder Manufacturing is one of many smaller aerospace firms being forced to lay off employees due to decreased work orders.
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Boeing makes up 95% of the Everett manufacturer’s revenue, and the ongoing strike has led the company to place 14 employees on standby layoff, Pathfinder CEO David Trader told KING 5.
Contract vote: Boeing’s third contract offer would raise wages 38% over four years, boost contributions to 401(k) plans, and include a $12,000 ratification bonus, an increase over previous offers. The outcome of today’s vote is expected to be announced tonight.
“For the sake of everyone, we hope this marks the end of this strike and the start of a new phase of manufacturing growth as Boeing and its workers get back to building the world’s best airplanes,” Johnson said. In a television news story carried nationally, Johnson added, “the disruption is to every community in the state that has aerospace as part of it… Main Street specifically, think restaurants, retailers, especially going into a time where the holiday season really matters.”
Election to bring big changes to WA’s Legislature
High turnover: A wave of retirements, departures and redistricting means Washington’s Legislature will get a makeover after Tuesday’s election, the Washington State Standard reports.
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Nine incumbent state senators and 11 representatives aren’t returning; seven House members are running for Senate seats; and three legislative positions will be filled in the redrawn 14th Legislative District in the Yakima Valley.
Competitive races: As legislators retire, some districts have become electoral battlegrounds, with both parties fighting to retain or pick up seats, the Standard reports. Democrats currently hold majorities of 58-40 in the House and 29-20 in the Senate.
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AWB has endorsed candidates in key swing districts, such as the 10th and 42nd
Voters voting in new districts: Controversy ensued earlier this year after a judge approved new boundaries for 13 legislative districts, following a lawsuit over Latino voters in Yakima Valley’s 14th district.
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The restricting resulted in some Republican legislators not seeking re-election, while others relocated to run in newly drawn districts.
What does it mean? Find out how the election results, including legislative race outcomes, could impact employers in AWB’s post-election webinar on Thursday. See details below.
Explore election impacts in free webinar Thursday
There’s still time to register for AWB’s 2024 post-election webinar at 9 a.m. Thursday. Join us via Zoom to learn about the biggest takeaways from statewide and legislative races and what the results mean for employers.
Insights from insiders: Hear from former Republican legislator Paul Graves and Democratic strategist Sandeep Kaushik in a moderated discussion with AWB Vice President of Government Affairs Dave Mastin. The webinar will include time for Q&A.
Register now: Click to register for the no-cost webinar.
Interested in sponsoring? Contact AWB’s Carly Michael.
Final spotlight videos from 2024 Manufacturing Week out now
Building tomorrow’s workforce: Watch how community colleges in Snohomish County are preparing students for careers in advanced manufacturing in Manufacturing Week spotlight videos presented by Boeing:
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The Washington Aerospace Training & Research Center trains students to find jobs in aerospace, construction, maritime, automation and robotics, focusing on in-demand skills and networking opportunities.
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The Advanced Manufacturing Training & Education Center is a one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art facility that offers industry certificates, degrees, apprenticeships, internships, and a path to employment.
Also new: Watch spotlights of Modern Hydrogen, presented by Alaska Airlines; Toolcraft, Inc., presented by Impact Washington; Page Cellars, presented by Banner Bank; and Washington Creek Distillery, presented by Premera Blue Cross.
All the stops: See the full library of spotlight videos from AWB’s 2024 Manufacturing Week bus tour, co-presented by Premera and Banner Bank.
Apply to become a future stop: Want us to visit your shop floor on the 2025 tour? Click here to tell us about your company.
Hurricanes, strike hit October job market
The U.S. economy added a dismal 12,000 jobs in October, a sharp slowdown amid the ongoing Boeing workers strike and hurricanes across the Southeast. The pace of job creation was the weakest since December 2020.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the decline of 46,000 manufacturing jobs was largely due to strike activity. Meanwhile, the nation’s unemployment rate held at 4.1%.
“While the impacts of these events are real and should not be ignored, they are likely temporary and not a signal of a collapsing job market,” said Cory Stahle, an economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab.
Business & The Environment Conference set for Dec. 10-11
The Northwest Environmental Business Council will host its annual Business & the Environment Conference on Dec. 10-11 at the Holiday Inn Portland Columbia Riverfront.
The conference covers the latest information and best practices in environmental protection and compliance, new technologies and services, sustainable business practices, and policy issues. AWB Government Affairs Director Peter Godlewski will be a speaker in the Business and Environment Breakout Session.
HealthChoice offers affordable health insurance options for employers
Taking care of employees: Dan Tapani Excavating is one of the first Clark County companies to take advantage of AWB’s HealthChoice, now available statewide after expanding to Clark County this year. Read more.
“The coverage is great,” said co-owner Andy Tapani. “Looking for a health care plan for employees is very challenging. There are not a lot of options out there. We’re very happy with AWB coming into Clark County with another option.”
Comprehensive coverage: AWB’s HealthChoice provides access to health care and competitive offerings on ancillary benefits such as dental and vision coverage that businesses may not be able to get on their own. It also offers streamlined administration and customer service support.
Get your free quote: For more information, please visit propointservices.com/healthchoice, and for a free, no-obligation quote, contact Billy Sangster at billys@propointservices.com.
“We’re all American citizens being able to sit across from one another and with one another, regardless of political beliefs… No matter how this election goes, America will get through it.” - Sandra Lytle, of Port Angeles, about Clallam County’s status as the final remaining “bellwether county” in the nation. Voters there have picked every winning presidential candidate since 1980.