Today the Legislature received word that Boeing Co. intends to move 375 Washington-based engineering jobs to California. This comes on top of the firm’s announcement earlier this year that 300 engineers would be moved to positions outside Washington. Following Boeing’s announcement Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, offered this assessment.

“Boeing’s leaders have made it increasingly clear that if our state’s business climate doesn’t improve we can expect more headlines of this type. Between that and the other clues we’ve seen lately I’ve got to believe Boeing has concluded it will run into fewer labor disputes in California. One would hope the governor knows the reason behind today’s disappointing news – if it isn’t related to labor contracts, and has to do instead with something the Legislature can address, he should convey that to those of us who are in a position to respond.

“If you want to talk about family-wage jobs, engineering positions at Boeing – which in our state carry average annual salaries of more than $100,000 – are exactly what’s on the line. We live in an increasingly global and competitive world; other states and countries know how valuable the industry is and that’s why they’re taking steps to try to lure Boeing away from our state.

“The bottom line is that our state’s economy will not recover until more jobs are created, and since the governor took office it sure seems the aerospace industries in other states are benefiting at Washington’s expense. Standing by and allowing these sorts of jobs to move away should not be an option. I remain ready to work with the governor and elected officials at all levels, from both sides of the aisle, to make sure Washington is a place where employers want to do business.”