The teamed up with several other maritime labor organizations in submitting joint testimony for an October 28 hearing of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries titled: “Sea Change: Reviving Commercial Shipbuilding.”
Participating as witnesses at the hearing were Matt Paxton, President, Shipbuilders Council of America; Jeff Vogel, Vice President of Legal for TOTE Services; Dr. Salvatore Mercogliano, Professor, Campbell University; and Tuuli Snow, Talent Acquisition & Engagement Manager, Snow & Company, Inc.
The joint statement came from the Maritime Trades Department; American Maritime Officers; International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots; Marine Firemen’s Union; Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association; Seafarers International Union; Sailors’ Union of the Pacific; and Transportation Trades Department.
Those organizations wrote in part: “The development, implementation and funding of programs and policies that promote, support and grow the U.S.-flag fleet, enhance its economic viability, and increase its ability to compete for and secure a larger share of America’s commercial commerce are extremely important to the jobs of the men and women our organizations represent. The jobs that American merchant mariners perform, and the ships that they crew, are a vital component of America’s economic and military security. They provide the commercial sealift readiness capability needed by the Department of Defense and, as history has demonstrated, are always ready, willing and able to put themselves in harm’s way to support American troops deployed throughout the world….
“At the outset, we wish to reiterate our strong support for the bipartisan and bicameral SHIPS for America Act. We thank the sponsors of this legislation for their leadership in introducing this legislation and we thank all those who have cosponsored this legislation for their commitment to revitalize America’s commercial maritime capability. We assure you that America’s seafaring labor organizations look forward to working with you and your colleagues to enact the provisions in the SHIPS for America Act relating to maritime manpower as well as the other far reaching and innovative proposals to achieve a stronger maritime industry.”
The full statement is linked HERE. The witnesses’ formal remarks and a video of the entire hearing are available on the subcommittee’s website HERE.
