Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today after Boeing announced the 737-MAX would be built in Renton and the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers announcement that they have reached a contract extension agreement.
“This is momentous news for all of Washington, and is further evidence that our aerospace workers are the best in the world,” Larsen said. “I applaud IAM and Boeing for reaching a contract agreement and working together to bring these thousands of good jobs for decades to come to Washington. I thank all of those who worked hard to bring the 737-MAX where it belongs, and I look forward to seeing the first plane take off from our state.
“We must now recommit to our efforts to educate and train the next generation of aerospace workers to meet this challenge and to compete for future manufacturing. One strong opportunity we have is to train veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to take on these jobs. Tools like the recently signed Vow to Hire Heroes Act will provide the resources to prepare our veterans to enter the private workforce.
“Today’s announcements are cause to celebrate in their own right, but also give us confidence for the future. They create the conditions for long term growth and a stable environment that will be a key asset when competing for future aerospace manufacturing.”
