Jones Act newbuild debate lingers
Aker Philadelphia has asserted that a new union contract will ensure stability for its Jones Act tanker construction programme, but a union lawsuit continues. Aker said on 2 February that a collective bargaining agreement was signed with the Philadelphia Metal Trades Council “effective through 31 January 2011”. Aker Philadelphia president Dave Meehan said the agreement “provides a foundation for continuing our solid relationship [with labour] throughout the entire 10-tanker build programme”. Union stability is all the more important given the announcement that the 10-ship order is likely to be extended to 16 ships. But the new labour agreement has yet to curtail legal action filed by the AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department on 16 January, which alleges that the US Coast Guard erred in its allowance for Korean components in Jones Act newbuildings at Aker Philadelphia and NASSCO. According to court documents obtained by Fairplay, new summons in that case were filed in the US District Court of Eastern Philadelphia during the week following Aker’s collective bargaining announcement. Attorney Keith Bolek, representing the AFL-CIO, confirmed to Fairplay that “the lawsuit is proceeding” and that he has not been advised of any change.