Lawmakers, union oppose Airbus for refueling

Lawmakers, union oppose Airbus for refueling
Staff writer - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Oct 16, 2007 13:03:38 EDT

Sixty-six members of Congress and a California labor union are urging Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne not to buy Airbus refueling planes for the U.S. Air Force.

Rather, the lawmakers and laborers say, buy from U.S. plane maker Boeing.

The American company and its European archrival are vying for a contract that could be worth $40 billion.

In a letter to Wynne on Friday, the lawmakers argued against splitting the refueling tanker buy between Boeing and a team composed of Northrop Grumman and EADS, Airbus’ parent company.

In a separate letter, the California Labor Federation told Wynne that Boeing “supports more than 4,000 jobs and contributes an estimated $175 million” to California’s economy.

Airbus planes would be largely built in Europe, with only final assembly performed by nonunionized workers in Alabama.


Article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/10/defense_airbusplea_071015/