PrintPrintSen. Robert Ford has penned letters to the Boeing Co. and its general contractor Turner Construction seeking information about the companies’ minority and women hiring practices and available subcontracting opportunities. The black population accounts for 55% of residents in Ford’s district, according to the senator’s letter.
By Molly Parker
mparker@scbiznews.com
Published Nov. 9, 2009
State Sen. Robert Ford has penned letters to the Boeing Co. and its general contractor Turner Construction seeking information about the companies’ minority and women hiring practices and available subcontracting opportunities.
Ford, on behalf of members of the S.C. Legislative Black Caucus, addressed the letters to Boeing President and CEO Jim McNerney, and Turner Construction President and CEO Peter Davoren.
“They wanted to make sure that African Americans and women get their fair share,” Ford said of the committee members.
Ford, a Charleston Democrat, represents the district that includes Boeing’s current fuselage assembly plants and the site where Boeing is building its second Dreamliner assembly line. He chairs the 39-member caucus’ Civil Rights & Affirmative Action Committee.
In his letter to McNerney, Ford said the committee is “interested in securing information regarding employment of African-Americans.”
It continued: “We are specifically interested in the range of positions within the [North] Charleston plant facility, the salary ranges, required qualifications, etc.”
Ford also requested race and gender statistics for positions in other Boeing facilities and a breakdown of the company’s minority contractor policies and procedures.”
The black population accounts for 55% of residents in Ford’s district, and 40% of the population in the greater Charleston region, according to the senator’s letter.
Related documents
Read letter to Boeing’s CEO
Read letter to Turner Construction’s CEO
Ford, who is a candidate for governor, also requested meetings with personnel at Boeing to discuss “the community, partnerships, positive employment campaigns and training programs for potential employees.”
Boeing could not immediately be reached Monday afternoon, but Ford said company representatives have responded to him regarding the letter dated Oct. 30.
Ford forwarded the same letter to Turner Construction, and also specifically asked Turner’s Davoren about opportunities for “local minority contractors and subcontractors in conjunction with the project.”
On Friday, Boeing announced that it had selected a joint venture between New York-based Turner and Charlotte-headquartered BE&K Building Group as the general contractor for the construction project, which is expected to break ground this month. The design partner for the project is BRPH, based out of Melbourne, Fla.
Gov. Mark Sanford said the project could create up to 2,000 construction jobs, though neither Boeing or its general contractor have pinpointed a specific number.
For more on Boeing, check out today’s issue of Charleston Regional Business Journal, which includes a special report on the company’s decision to build a second Dreamliner assembly plant in North Charleston.
Reach Molly Parker at 843-849-3144.
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