Machinists Union Blasts Tanker Decision

WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today expressed outrage over the decision to award a $40 billion aerial refueling tanker contract to a team led by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS), parent company of Airbus.

"Today's decision is a serious blow to a key American industry," said IAM General Vice President Rich Michalski. "President Bush and his administration have denied real economic stimulus to the American people and chosen instead to create jobs in Toulouse, France. This President and Vice President have been allowed for too long to operate without real accountability and have denied working families the right to see their tax dollars used to support American communities, schools and Main Streets."

The competition was mandated in 2003, allowing a heavily subsidized European manufacturer, EADS, to bid against Boeing, a U.S. firm that received no subsidies.

"The decision means billions of taxpayer dollars will be used to create and sustain jobs in foreign countries, rather than here in the United States," said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. "Giving this contract to EADS further hollows out America's industrial base and rewards a company that has already used $100 million in European government subsidies to grab nearly 50 percent of the U.S. commercial aircraft market."

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents nearly 720,000 members including 35,000 Boeing employees at locations across the country.

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Source: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

CONTACT: Rich Michalski, cell, +1-202-258-5577, or Frank Larkin,
+1-202-285-3831, both of the International Association of Machinists and
Aerospace Workers

2008-02-29 18:09:43 0302100 PRNEWSWIRE