Friday, July 26, 2013

BOEING

► In today’s Seattle Times — Boeing moving more engineering work to California — Management told employees Thursday that aftermarket engineering work on modifying jets for current customers and converting aging passenger jets to freighters will move from Bellevue and Everett to Long Beach, Calif. About 375 engineers now do that work locally. Boeing spokesman Jim Condelles said it’s not yet clear how many of them will be affected.

► In today’s (Everett) Herald — County considers $8M bet on Boeing at Paine Field — Snohomish County officials are weighing an $8 million bet at Paine Field — the cost of preparing an industrial site at the airport for manufacture of the Boeing Co.’s new 777X. The expense of preparing the site, which could be used by another aviation business should Boeing opt to not expand at the county-owned airport, would be covered by municipal bonds.

► In today’s Seattle Times — Inslee pushes Everett site for 777X facility — Gov. Jay Inslee highlighted a potential site in Everett for Boeing to build the composite wings of the 777X, although Boeing leaders remain mum.

LOCAL

► In today’s Seattle Times — Seattle fast-food workers file wage theft complaints — Fast-food workers announced the filing of wage-theft complaints against some local restaurants Thursday, as part of an effort to spotlight what some say is an epidemic problem for low-wage workers.

► In today’s Columbian — State representatives tout coal exports st Vancouver event — Backers of three proposed coal terminals in the Pacific Northwest touted the economic benefits of the export plans during a press conference held in Vancouver on Thursday. The proposals — one in Longview, one near Bellingham and another in Boardman, Ore. — will help position “us as a global leader” in trade, said state Rep. Paul Harris (R-Vancouver), who was joined by at least a dozen business and labor group officials, and other politicians from the region.

► In today’s Spokesman-Review — Firefighters union says budget might impair responses — Spokane’s firefighters union says recent fires on the South Hill have exposed the consequences of reduced service at Station No. 9, located at 18th Avenue and Bernard Street.

STATE GOVERNMENT

► From AP — Initiative to name Skagit Bridge for Eyman — A Bothell man filed an initiative to the Legislature on Wednesday to put Eyman’s name on the bridge that fell into the water when it was struck by a truck with an oversized load. The measure filed by Nicholas Santos says the Tim Eyman Memorial Bridge would be “dedicated to the efforts of Tim Eyman to reduce Washington state tax revenues and the collapse of the Skagit River bridge on May 23, 2013.”

NATIONAL

► From PBS — The bogus high-tech worker shortage: How guest workers lower U.S. wages — A battle rages in economic policy circles: Should America make its borders more open to high-tech guest workers, or should we batten the hatches? Even those who oppose totally open immigration often support temporary guest worker visas, known as H-1B work visas, for high-tech. But some oppose them, arguing that — as in other industries — workers from abroad undercut the wages of those domestic workers who would otherwise do the jobs here in America.

► In today’s NY Times — Labor leaders seek government aid for Detroit — Top leaders of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., the nation’s main federation of labor unions, on Thursday called on President Obama and the Congress to offer an immediate financial infusion to Detroit, which last week became the largest American city ever to file for bankruptcy.

T.G.I.F.

► Joe Walsh, one of the greatest guitarists in rock history (see The Eagles’ “Hotel California” solo), has had a life marred by substance abuse as he dealt with his fortunate and fame. But he reminds us that “Life’s Been Good” in this 2010 performance from Live From Daryl’s House featuring Daryl Hall. (Fun Fakt!™ — Walsh’s brother-in-law is Ringo Starr… they married Bach sisters.)  Enjoy.

The Stand posts links to Washington state and national news of interest every weekday morning by 10 a.m.