MTD Convention Coverage
Noting that the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO (MTD) remains the leading voice of maritime labor, MTD President Michael Sacco opened the Department’s 2013 Quadrennial Convention by stressing that “Maritime Transportation Delivers.”
According to Sacco, the Convention theme “Maritime Transportation Delivers” reflects members’ “reliability aboard ship and ashore.”
“Day after day, week after week, year after year” these workers are “second to none anywhere in the world,” he stressed.
“They are,” he emphasized, “a source of pride—the backbone of America.”
As the Department has done at every convention since its inception in 1946, MTD delegates will discuss, debate and “figure out the best way to protect their livelihood …
“We will come up with a winning strategy.” he vowed. In order to do that, all those attending the Convention will have to “see where we’ve been.”
As noted in the Executive Officers’ Report, “Through our speakers and resolutions, we will plot a course that will show how Maritime Transportation Delivers. By supporting the military around the globe, by importing and exporting consumer goods, by delivering American-grown food aboard U.S.-flag vessels to those who are hungry or in a crisis, by building world-class vessels in domestic shipyards, by having the best mariners performing their jobs daily, Maritime Transportation Delivers!”
The Executive Officers’ Report also pointed out, “As usual, we will not limit the scope of our attention to strictly maritime. We will call for action on matters that affect our brothers and sisters in the labor movement. We will acknowledge the hard work performed by our Port Maritime Councils. We will leave Los Angeles with a solid, positive direction of where the Department, our affiliates and our industry are headed.”