Metal Trades Department Praises Rep. Richmond, Sen. Landrieu and Avondale SOS Partners.
Thanks to the work of Senator Mary Landrieu and Congressman Cedric Richmond and the Avondale SOS Coalition, Avondale Shipyard took another step toward stability after they persuaded the federal government to remove the financial incentive for Huntington Ingalls to shut down the shipyard. "This is a hopeful new development for working families in Avondale," said Metal Trades Department President Ron Ault. "Thanks to the hard work and determination of Representative Richmond and Senator Landrieu, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, and all our SOS coalition partners, Avondale could have a new life. "By taking the incentive for closure off the table and allowing it to be used to convert to a commercial yard, we are now on a level playing field and the decision on the shipyard's future is more likely to be based on sound business considerations."
Sen. Landrieu and Rep. Richmond sent a letter to Sec. Mabus last week urging him to remove the incentive for closure of the yard. They pointed out that "the Navy should not undermine" their efforts to keep Avondale open by offering "incentives to HII" to shutter the shipyard. They also pointed out that the closing of Avondale is "unacceptable" as it would lose a vital amount of shipbuilding knowledge in the region.