Missouri lawmakers aren't the only ones considering concessions to help the Boeing Co. build its next-generation commercial jet in the St. Louis area.
"I am pleased to announce that the St. Louis Construction Labor Councils have stepped up to the plate with a historic agreement to help make Missouri an even more attractive place for Boeing to build the 777X," Gov. Jay Nixon told reporters during a 21-minute Tuesday afternoon telephone conference call.
Three labor groups "have committed to a 24-hour work schedule - without overtime - during construction of the Boeing facilities on this project," Nixon explained. "This aggressive work schedule would double the number of work hours each week, triple the committed workforce and reduce the construction time and, thus, costs by at least a year."
Jeff Aboussie, representing the St. Louis building trades unions, told the Senate's Economic Development Committee on Tuesday evening they think their agreement could "build a five-year project in approximately 2.9 years," allowing Boeing "to get their product to market" more quickly.
Nixon called lawmakers back to Jefferson City for a special legislative session that began Monday, to expand four existing economic development programs - giving Boeing some incentives to consider Missouri favorably as it searches for a place to build its planned commercial jetliner.
The Seattle-based company is seeking a location outside Washington State for the construction project after the machinists union rejected a request for concessions on pension plans.
The Senate committee was told the St. Louis area machinists already have made those concessions.
Nixon told reporters during the conference call: "As you know, Missouri is one of more than a dozen states competing for the production of Boeing's next generation aircraft.
"Today, it's clear that the most highly skilled, hardest-working labor force in the world is committed to doing whatever it takes to win in the global economy."
The governor acknowledged the unions' rank-and-file members had not voted on the specifics of the agreement, but said the unions' leaders "are empowered leaders - I'm confident they speak for the thousands of construction workers" affected by the agreements.
Aboussie told the committee Tuesday evening: "We have 25 percent unemployment in the (St. Louis area) building trades right now.
"We do have the capacity to help Boeing build their plant."
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