In an attempt to force Seattle machinists to accept an 8 year contract that cuts pensions, health care, and eliminates striking and negotiating inflation adjustments, Boeing has threatened to move production of the 777X to a non-union state.
But non-union labor isn’t all Boeing’s looking for.
Boeing has released an RFP which includes the following wish list:
• “Site at no cost, or very low cost, to project.”
• “Facilities at no cost, or significantly reduced cost.”
• “Infrastructure improvements provided by the location.”
• Assistance in recruiting, evaluating and training employees.
• A low tax structure, with “corporate income tax, franchise tax, property tax, sales/use tax, business license/gross receipts tax, and excise taxes to be significantly reduced.”
• “Accelerated permitting for site development, facility construction, and environmental permitting.”
And "pro-business" states are rushing to get their proposals in. Washington has approved $8.7B in tax breaks to try to keep Boeing, and 8000 jobs, in the state.
Missouri is voting on $1.7B in incentives. South Carolina is looking at incentives. Texas and California are also under consideration; no word on their responses.
And my illustrious state, Alabama, is also looking at incentives. But our governor, Robert Bentley, has assured us that "It doesn't always boil down to money." Uh huh.
Funny, isn't it, how much "pro-business" looks like socialism. Wonder if the states have figured out that they can get around that by deeding the site and facilites to Boeing.