WASHINGTON — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), issued the following statement commemorating the 106th anniversary of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, more commonly known as the Jones Act:
“As America’s largest transportation labor federation, representing thousands of maritime workers across the United States, we take this opportunity to recognize a piece of legislation that is integral in supporting the American maritime industry. 106 years after its passage, the Jones Act continues to promote self-reliance in ocean shipping and helps sustain our maritime workforce.
“The Jones Act requires any cargo moving between U.S. ports to be carried by ships built in America, owned and operated by U.S. citizens, and crewed by American mariners. Since its passage, there have been several attempts to permanently repeal or temporarily undermine the Jones Act through waivers. Most recently, the Trump Administration issued a 60-day Jones Act waiver and a 90-day extension in response to the negative economic impact caused by the ongoing conflict in Iran. In reality, this misguided decision has no effect on the price of gasoline, but rather makes our homeland more vulnerable to national security threats and prioritizes foreign vessel operators over American maritime workers.
“Maritime labor is united in its commitment to revitalizing the domestic maritime workforce and restoring shipping dominance. That goal is jeopardized when the Jones Act is used as a scapegoat for rising prices at the gas pump, rather than protected as a pillar of the American maritime industry. We will continue to fight for the preservation of this transformative law, while pursuing maritime policies that benefit American workers, consumers, and businesses.”
###