Who: Ron Ault, President of the Metal Trades Department of the AFL-CIO & Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA)
What: Meeting open to the press for a discussion of the future of the Avondale Shipyard
Where: Point Coupee Room, Lowe’s New Orleans Hotel—300 Poydras, New Orleans
When: 11:15 a.m., Friday, Jan. 28
Contacts: Greg Kenefick, Metal Trades Dept. Cell: (410) 274-8604
Raena Davis of Mr. Richmond’s office: (781) 475-2165
Or Amaya Tune at the AFL-CIO in Washington (202) 637-5142
Open to the press
Northrop Grumman is preparing to spin off its shipbuilding business and the leadership of the new entity appears intent on closing down Avondale in New Orleans and possibly Ingalls in Pascagoula. If those plans are carried out, the Gulf region’s economy and the communities dependent on the shipbuilding industry will be devastated. The loss of competitive shipbuilding capacity will have a negative effect on the defense industrial base nationwide and national security. Rep. Richmond is expected to present a joint letter he has signed with Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) to outline steps they are taking to quantify the economic impact of these shutdowns and once more urge the leadership of Northrop Grumman & the new shipbuilding entity to reconsider their plans.