From the AFL-CIO, to which the MTD is affiliated:
AFL-CIO: Unnecessary, Ineffective Jones Act Waiver Puts Foreign Corporations Ahead of America’s Workers
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler released the following statement on the Trump administration’s decision to issue an unnecessary and ineffective 60-day waiver of the Jones Act:
As American maritime workers risk their lives in the Middle East and around the world, it is deeply concerning that the Trump administration would open U.S. waterways to nonunion foreign competitors. This unnecessary and ineffective waiver is a giveaway to foreign shipping interests, dressed up as relief for America’s families at the pump.
Domestic shipping costs less than 1 cent per gallon of gas. This waiver will do nothing to fix the squeeze working families are feeling when they fill up their tank while handing good union jobs to foreign corporate competitors.
The Jones Act exists to protect a strong, American-flagged maritime fleet that is essential to our economy, national security and military readiness. The Trump administration should reverse this decision and come up with solutions to reduce energy costs that actually work, without sacrificing the workers who keep our nation’s waterways moving and our country secure.”