What maritime, infrastructure and exports mean for labor?
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Transcript What maritime, infrastructure and exports mean for labor?
Mike Elliott, Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers & Trainmen (BLET), Washington State
Legislative Board (WSLB)
February 2014
FAST FACTS
Washington State MOST Trade Dependent in America
1 in Every 4 Jobs Rely on Exports
Up to 40% of All Jobs Are Trade Related
Exports drive 1/6 of state’s economy
In 2011, Washington State ranked 5th in Total Value of
Exports
Source: Washington State Department of Commerce
Source: Washington Council on International Trade
Background
As a Trade Gateway To Asia, WA ST Plays A Vital Role In
Meeting The Growing International Demand For
Agriculture & Energy Products Worldwide
Infrastructure Investment Needed to Upgrade Overland,
Maritime Capacity & Support
Important to be “Trade Diversified” while remaining
“Commodity Neutral”
MAP-21 Re-Authorization Important Funding Vehicle
for Infrastructure Projects
Adequate Funding Coupled w/ Fair, Objective, Timely,
Science-Based EIS Process Needed
WPPA, BLET, & other Trade Stakeholders have Expressed
Concerns as to potential Negative Impact of ExpandedScope “Programmatic” EIS Studies
Keep Washington State Attractive to Private Investment
and “Open for Business” to Everyone
Protect Blue-Collar Job Opportunities in Heavy Industry
(Rail, Manufacturing, Industrial, Maritime, etc.)
Maritime Cluster and the Labor
Community
Maritime Cluster Provides Skilled Trade Jobs Throughout The
Northwest
Family Wage Jobs & Benefits in Several Skilled Crafts
BNSF ALONE Employs 3500 State-Wide w/ an Annual Payroll Over
$248 Million
Unionized Rail Industry Employs 2500+ Operating Craft Jobs State-
Wide
Tacoma BLET Local Division ALONE has 170+ members. That’s
approx $12 million to Locomotive Engineers in Annual Wages
Rail Transportation Industry and
Washington’s Maritime Cluster
Washington Benefits from Over $100 million in
Private Railroad Investment Annually.
On 2/4/14, BNSF Announced a Capital Commitment of
$5 Billion for 2014
$2.3 Billion Earmarked for Core Network and Related
Projects
Much of Capacity Expansion Will Focus on the Northern
Corridor (Hi-Line)
Northern Rail Corridor
Hi-Line Capacity Expansion Focus to Accommodate :
Agriculture Products
Intermodal
Automotive
Industrial Products Related to Crude Oil Production
Bakken Oil & Gas
Direct Correlation Between the Health of Rail Transportation
and Growth in Maritime and Export industries.
Working with Ports, Local Governments, and Private
Developers, Rail Has Helped Connect Maritime Projects
Beneficial to Washington’s Role as an International Trade Center
Staying Competitive
Washington’s Ports face growing competition from
Canada, from other U.S. Ports, and from the Panama
Canal
Harbor Maintenance Tax issue needs to be resolved
While the value of WA exports is at record levels,
freight rail volumes in the region remain below prerecession figures – still capacity available
Need continued investment (i.e. PPP) to preserve &
grow a balance of business in all trade categories
Growth Opportunities
Proposed Multi-Commodity Terminals to Expand
Existing Port Facility In Longview, WA
Create New Facility at Cherry Point, WA
Represent the Single Largest Trade Investment
Opportunity in the Region to Date
Nearly 12,000
direct and indirect jobs
$1.5 billion in private investment
Research by the Washington Farm Bureau found the
terminals are likely to increase export opportunities for
other trade industries in Washington State
SAFETY FIRST
Build/Update Infrastructure to Promote Highest
Safety and Environmental Standards
Support Broad Spectrum of Union Based Crafts and
Positions
Coordinate Regulatory Oversight at Federal, State,
and Local Levels
Support Apprenticeship/Education Programs to
ensure “best practices” skill-sets are maintained and
passed along to the next generation
QUESTIONS?