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Kaine, Scott Discuss Port/Maritime Issues With Hampton Roads PMC

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Participants gather with US Sen Tim Kaine and US Rep Bobby Scott after the Hampton Roads Port Council meeting.

With representatives from 16 different international unions present, the Hampton Roads Port Council kicked off Labor Day weekend on August 31 with a lunchtime question-and-answer session featuring U.S Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA).

The 90-minute gathering brought together elements from the Norfolk-area’s shipbuilding, ship repair and seafaring communities. The two elected officials dealt with a variety of questions ranging from port activities to finding new ways to spark apprenticeship programs.

MTD Exec Bd Mbr (and UMWA Sec-Treas) Levi Allen (left) discusses an issue with US Sen Tim Kaine.

Kaine and Scott both serve on their bodies’ main committees that oversee labor and workforce issues. Before taking questions, both spoke briefly about creating legislation that would allow federally funded Pell Grants to be used to cover the costs associated with apprenticeship training. (Currently, Pell Grants only help cover expenses associated with getting a college degree.) In addition, both spoke out strongly against President Trump’s announcement the day before to cancel a 2 percent pay raise for federal workers.

Kaine and Scott reiterated their longstanding support for the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program and cargo preference. Both noted the need for a strong domestic shipbuilding industry to maintain America’s military and commercial fleets.

US Rep Bobby Scott (right) hears from USW’s Gene Magruder (left) and IUPAT’s Lynn Taylor.

The pair cited Norfolk’s efforts to become the largest port in terms of cargo along the U.S. Atlantic coast, stating they would do whatever is possible in Washington to help achieve this goal. However, both were unaware that the Norfolk./Tidewater/ Hampton Roads region is the only major U.S. port on the East Coast that does not have a seamen’s center for U.S. and foreign mariners whose ships dock at the facilities. Both agreed to work with local governmental and business officials to alleviate that concern.

Hampton Roads PMC Secretary-Treasurer Georg Kenny reported the meeting was very appreciated by the attendees.

Iron Workers Local 79 hosted the meeting, while MTD Executive Secretary-Treasurer Daniel Duncan served as moderator.

 

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