Missouri Governor Jay Nixon speaks at a press conference to announce St. Louis workers will supply parts for the Boeing 777X program. At the announcement were state legislators, Boeing officials, Midwest Territory General Vice President Phil Gruber, standing behind Nixon in blue jacket, and IAM representatives from District 837.
IAM members of District 837 in St. Louis, MO will supply parts that will support the 777X composite wing center in Everett, WA. The announcement came at a press conference including Governor Jay Nixon (D), Boeing officials, state legislators and IAM representatives.
According to Boeing, similar work for the current 777 is being done by suppliers or overseas. Gov. Nixon credited the state’s highly-skilled workforce and incentives passed by the state legislature. “Boeing’s decision to in-source commercial work to St. Louis for the very first time marks a historic moment and a huge win for Missouri, for Boeing’s workers, and for Boeing’s more than 600 suppliers and vendors around the state,” said Nixon.
The new work will mean an expansion of the current St. Louis composites facility and production is expected to begin in 2017. Boeing is already building a one million square foot composite wing facility in Everett for fabrication and final assembly of the 777X wings.
“It is a point of personal pride that the work force in St. Louis was chosen for this project. We have the legacy skills right here that are so critical to successful deployment of any new technology,” said Midwest Territory General Vice President Phil Gruber. “Our reputation for excellence goes back generations. And with today’s announcement, that reputation will go forward for generations, as well.”
“We did the right thing in securing work and good jobs for our members, now and into the future,” said IAM District 837 Directing Business Representative Gordon King. Other IAM representatives at the announcement included District 837 Assistant Directing Business Representative Steve McDerman and Secretary-Treasurer DeWitt Darity.
