MINNEAPOLIS —Earlier this month delegates to the AFL-CIO Convention sent a powerful message in support of America’s shipbuilding and maritime industries, voting overwhelmingly to adopt Resolution 17: Revitalizing Domestic Shipbuilding, Ship Repair, and Maritime Industries, as well as reaffirming AFL-CIO’s strong support for the Jones Act.
The resolution, presented by Maritime Trades Department (MTD) executive board member Brian Bryant, and President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), calls on the AFL-CIO to fight back against China’s predatory trade practices. It pushes for robust federal investment in domestic shipbuilding, and actively supports the SHIPS for America Act.
The resolution reflects the urgent reality facing the domestic shipbuilding industry. After decades of decline driven in part by China’s state-subsidized dominance of global shipbuilding, the U.S. Navy estimates that China’s shipbuilding capacity now stands at roughly 232 times that of the United States. The resolution commits the AFL-CIO to work with lawmakers, the White House, and industry partners to reverse this trend and to actively oppose any proposals that would move domestic shipbuilding or ship repair work offshore.
In wake of the current Jones Act waiver, an amendment was also added by the MTD, to end the waiver and renew AFL-CIO’s longstanding support of the Jones Act. The resolution drew overwhelming support from the delegation and MTD affiliate members rose to speak in support.
Thomas Orzechowski, Secretary-Treasurer of the Seafarers International Union (SIU), and SIU Executive Vice President Augustin Tellez both addressed the delegates, calling for renewed investment in U.S. shipbuilding capacity and an end to the current Jones Act waiver. VP Tellez warned, “…there is a Chinese crew, delivering U.S. asphalt to domestic ports right now,” explaining the waiver’s negative impacts on American companies, workers and national security.
Jeannette Bradshaw, President of the Michigan Maritime Trades Port Council and a member of IBEW Local 58, spoke to the stakes for maritime workers in the Great Lakes region and beyond, urging passage of the resolution and a demand to end the waiver. “…we support the Jones Act, we support the U.S. maritime industry and we support this amended resolution.”
IBB Local 693 President Martina Taite, also spoke in support of the resolution, representing the perspective of 1,700 boilermakers, reflecting how shipbuilding preserves jobs not just for seafarers but for a chain of American workers.
Hampton Road Port Maritime Council member and President of United Steelworkers Local 8888, Charles Spivey, also spoke in solidarity of the resolution, representing the jobs it would create for thousands of shipbuilders in Virginia.
Resolution 17 received strong support on the convention floor and was unanimously ratified thanks to the voice of our MTD affiliate members. MTD relies on our collective voice to ensure our demands are heard in Washington. If you would like to Use Your VOICE and demand an end to the current Jones Act waiver, click the link and sign the petition.
To read the full text of Resolution 17 visit the AFL-CIO’s website or click HERE.