Meeting in Orlando, Florida March 8-9, the Executive Board of the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO urged Congress and the administration to devise and implement a comprehensive strategy to promote job growth in the maritime industry and the nation at large.
Expressing strong support for America’s troops, the board members noted the importance of different segments of the industry and reaffirmed their support for programs that promote important U.S. national security and economic interests. Among the topics discussed were the following: America’s shipyards, cargo preference, the Maritime Security Program, oversight of national ocean policy and port modernization.
The international maritime industry was also discussed as the members passed statements dealings with the flag-of-convenience system, piracy, the importance of ratifying certain ILO conventions and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Labor issues were also discussed, including the need to devise programs to promote job creation, the importance of fighting attacks on organized labor and labor standards, support for the International Longshoreman’s Association, the American Crystal Sugar lockout and recent developments at Verizon.
The board members also praised the career accomplishments of Frank Pecquex, who retired last year as the MTD’s executive secretary-treasurer.
What follows is a listing of the resolutions. For the full text, please click on the individual headings.
MARITIME AND ALLIED TRADES
Maritime Security Program (MSP)
Oversight of National Ocean Policy
UN Convention of the Law of the Sea
LABOR
The American Crystal Sugar Lockout