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
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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?