Friday, December 15, 2009
787 First Flight a Testament to Our Skilled Workforce
“This really is a day to celebrate. Our members have worked very long and very hard to make this day possible, going clear back to 2003, when we lobbied Boeing to locate final assembly here. We’ve had a lot of disagreements and disappointments along the way, but our members have overcome incredible challenges and really come through for the Boeing Co. They’ve done an outstanding job, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. The 787 wouldn’t be flying today without the dedication, skills and devotion of our IAM members," stated Tom Wroblewski District 751 President. 
IAM 751 members here in Puget Sound have worked a tremendous amount of overtime to make today possible. Most members assigned to the 787 have been working 12-hours-a-day, seven days a week. When Boeing needed us, our members came through. Our members ARE the solution to the 787 outsourcing problems.
IAM 751 members ended up doing a lot of work that Boeing thought it could outsource. When Boeing needed a quick turn-around on parts for the side-of-body fix, they turned to the highly skilled members in Auburn. In Everett, our members reworked and repaired every problem delivered to them by vendors. It wasn’t easy work by any means, but they did a great job and deserve credit.Their skills and expertise are evident throughout the 787.
We see the surge line as a great opportunity. It’s the true second line – where we’ll be building 787 airplanes on two lines in Everett while Boeing is still trying to build the new Charleston plant. It is our chance to prove to the world that our members really are first in aerospace and that we will continue to make quality, innovative Boeing airplanes long into the future.