Fred Kiga, The Boeing Company

Continuing from the aerospace conference.

After a lunch break, Fred Kiga, Boeing's top lobbyist, takes the stage for a few brief remarks.

"inspired by the turnout" - about 300 to my eye - that he observes illustrates the interest in keeping aerospace strong in Washington. "A chance to collectively determine the future of aerospace in this great state."

The recession has hit aerospace, like every other industry, very hard. But he believes the worst is over.

Our state has to be as competitive as possible. There is great opportunity in the long-term future of commercial aviation. There is strong and growing demand for new aircraft.

Boeing has customers in more than 90 companies.

Many competitors - well-known current competitors and emerging competitors around the world. Many countries have targeted aerospace as a strategic industry. They want a piece of the market. Competition "compels the entire industry to invest in better technologies and better solutions...competition benefits the industry."

But it also means that Beoing has to work harder. "We have made mistakes."

Recalls the comment from a supplier that production stability must be secured, that labor and management must get together to resolve a 20 pattern of labor disputes and strikes. Both sides share responsibility and mutual agreement must be secured. "Won't be easy for the company or the union." A long-term agreement to avoid strikes will be tough. Labor won't want to give up its ability to strike; the company won't want to turn over to a third-party (referencing arbittration) important decisions about corporate operations.

But there must be a "win-win." It's more than labor and management. The state's overall competitiveness includes taxes, UI, workers' compensation, the rights of employees and employers, transportation infrastructure. This is not just about Boeing and its unions.

"We have the collective power to take steps toward securing our future."

So far. along with Norm Dicks opener, the best remarks of the day. And a nice place to close this series.