Public outrage and pressure from labor leaders speaking on behalf of thousands of unemployed aerospace workers led to the cancellation of a conference in Wichita, KS, on how to promote additional outsourcing of U.S. aerospace jobs to Mexico. Wichita is the home of Cessna Aircraft, LearJet, Hawker Beechcraft, Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems.
According to an article by Molly McMillin in the Wichita Eagle, the conference, titled, “Mexico's Aerospace Industry Conference: Industry Analysis, Off-shore Manufacturing,” was to be held April 22.
In the article, Steve Rooney, District 70 Directing Business Representative, when told of the cancellation, gave a tongue-in-cheek response, “That breaks my heart.”
“Wichita is the cradle of the American aerospace industry,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. “This conference was about stealing good American jobs, and the conversation needs to be about keeping jobs in America, not catering to corporate carpetbaggers who would convince companies to send even more work to Mexico.”
Tue. April 27, 2010
I am a Union member in Wichita Ks, I am glad this conferance was cancelled, however if these greedy \"carpetbaggers\" return we will be waiting, as we were disapointed they didnt see the reception and rally this community had in store for them! Mexico NO! Unions NOW!