Following an extended hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic and the death of its late President Gerard Dhooge, the Maritime Port Council of Greater Boston and New England Area is getting back to business. A group of trade unionists from around the region gathered earlier this week in historic New Bedford to weigh in on the Port Council’s next evolution.
Acting President James Bast and MTD Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mark Clements conducted the meeting, informing affiliates of the many benefits of the Port Council network and how other successful PMCs operate around the United States and Canada.
Attendees hailed from a diverse array of unions, including MM&P, Seafarers, Piledrivers, Longshoremen, and the United Industrial Workers. Additionally, the Southeastern Massachusetts Central Labor Council, the Massachusetts State AFL-CIO, and Climate Jobs Massachusetts had representatives present.
New Bedford was selected for the meeting’s location because of the city’s connection to the burgeoning offshore wind energy industry. New Bedford’s Marine Commerce Terminal is the current staging ground for the Vineyard Wind project, which will lead to the installation of 62 wind turbines off the coast of Massachusetts.
The group laid out plans to revisit the Port Council’s bylaws and geographic scope. Other potential endeavors discussed included a PMC-hosted maritime job fair. The Maritime Trades Department eagerly awaits the renewed Port Council’s next steps.