County Council calls for rebid of federal tanker contract

Motion declares support for aerospace machinists and workers

The Metropolitan King County Council today joined local elected leaders across Washington state to oppose the award of a major Air Force contract for aerial refueling tankers to the European-based Airbus consortium.

“It is imperative that the United States government not follow the example of corporations who have exported US jobs overseas,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine, prime sponsor of the motion. “This contract represents a missed opportunity for the administration to support American workers, American industry, and the sagging American economy.”

“Especially in this period of economic difficulty in the U.S., it is the role of our government to protect and develop more jobs for our workers and not to facilitate jobs leaving the U.S.,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett.

“My father devoted nearly 40 years to Boeing, which helped raise the seven kids in my family,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson. “So not only do I understand the importance of these contracts to the area, but I also know the amount of talent Boeing has to offer for this kind of project.”

“Aircraft manufacturing is an important industry for our area,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert of Redmond. “We need to be proactive in making sure we can keep these living-wage jobs in our area.”

“Our federal leaders have talked big about creating U.S. jobs and strengthening U.S. companies, and by reconsidering Boeing’s tanker bid, they have the opportunity to walk their talk in support of US companies and jobs,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “Boeing has long been a trusted contractor for the U.S. government, and they are a powerful economic engine for the state of Washington and our country.”

“Our region is blessed with international technical expertise,” said Councilmember Jane Hague. “The Boeing Company is synonymous with aviation expertise and excellence. We deserve to have this contract award reviewed.”

“We have the best aerospace company in the world located right here in the United States,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “Boeing has the expertise and the experience to build tankers and they should get a fair opportunity to bid for a new contract. It’s too important for our national defense and our economy to let this go.”

The Boeing Company has formally protested the decision and questioned the fairness of the tanker acquisition process. The motion approved by the Council today calls on the federal government to cancel the tanker appropriation and institute a new bidding process. The County has joined elected officials at the federal, state and local level to voice opposition to the Airbus contract.

The motion notes that Boeing has built nearly 2,000 tankers, while Airbus has no such experience. It is estimated that, if awarded to the Puget Sound-based Boeing Company, the $35 billion contract could have added 9,000 family wage jobs and $400 million to the Washington State economy.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system. Type in “2008-0248”