NEW ORLEANS, LA – February 1, 2024 - The Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) hosted Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry at its annual winter conference on Wednesday, January 31st. Governor Landry spoke with OMSA members about the importance of protecting the American offshore industry against the concerning trend of American jobs being given to foreign laborers instead of qualified Americans.
During his address, Governor Landry recognized the vital role American offshore workers play in ensuring economic and national security. He voiced his support for the time-tested Jones Act, which requires the use of American vessels and workers in US waters, and he referenced fair energy policies, such as the American Offshore Worker Fairness Act (AOWFA), as a critical step in upholding US national security and safeguarding the American offshore industry.
“Our energy policy is vital to national security,” remarked Governor Landry. “In a global market there is no such thing as free trade, because there is no such thing as a free lunch. Instead, we can work to achieve fair trade.”
AWOFA would require foreign vessels operating in the US to abide by the same crewing rules that US vessels, thereby giving qualified American mariners and shipyard workers a fair chance at earning a family-supporting wage without unjust competition. AOWFA would also strengthen the enforcement of the Jones Act by closing a dangerous, unfair loophole that gives preferential treatment to low-wage workers at the expense of American workers.
In recent years, enforcement officials have turned a blind eye to Jones Act violations, allowing companies to hire cheap, foreign vessels and workers over their American counterparts, resulting in a myriad of problems:
National Security Concerns. Hiring vessels and crews from adversarial nations to work on America’s critical energy infrastructure increases the potential for extensive and lasting national security implications.
Safety Concerns. Where American vessels and mariners are required to meet high safety standards and complete rigorous training, foreign vessels and crews are not.
Readiness Concerns. Employing foreign workers instead of qualified Americans is crippling our own skilled offshore workforce.
That’s where AOWFA comes in.
It’s vital to emphasize that the AOWFA does not alter existing law, rather rectifies an unjust loophole that favors low-wage foreign workers over American counterparts. The goal is simple: a fair chance for American mariners in an industry that should rightfully contribute to the growth of US jobs and economic prosperity.
“There is nothing that would make me think twice,” commented Governor Landry regarding his support for the Jones Act and its role in the American offshore maritime industry. “I stand with you unwaveringly.”
About Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA)
The Offshore Marine Service Association OMSA is the leading association of and spokesman and advocate for the offshore marine transportation service industry in the United States. The association represents 120-member companies and their 12,000 U.S. employees based throughout the U.S. For more information, please visit www.offshoremarine.org.
CONTACT:
media@annacomms.com
708-476-1258
During his address, Governor Landry recognized the vital role American offshore workers play in ensuring economic and national security. He voiced his support for the time-tested Jones Act, which requires the use of American vessels and workers in US waters, and he referenced fair energy policies, such as the American Offshore Worker Fairness Act (AOWFA), as a critical step in upholding US national security and safeguarding the American offshore industry.
“Our energy policy is vital to national security,” remarked Governor Landry. “In a global market there is no such thing as free trade, because there is no such thing as a free lunch. Instead, we can work to achieve fair trade.”
AWOFA would require foreign vessels operating in the US to abide by the same crewing rules that US vessels, thereby giving qualified American mariners and shipyard workers a fair chance at earning a family-supporting wage without unjust competition. AOWFA would also strengthen the enforcement of the Jones Act by closing a dangerous, unfair loophole that gives preferential treatment to low-wage workers at the expense of American workers.
In recent years, enforcement officials have turned a blind eye to Jones Act violations, allowing companies to hire cheap, foreign vessels and workers over their American counterparts, resulting in a myriad of problems:
National Security Concerns. Hiring vessels and crews from adversarial nations to work on America’s critical energy infrastructure increases the potential for extensive and lasting national security implications.
Safety Concerns. Where American vessels and mariners are required to meet high safety standards and complete rigorous training, foreign vessels and crews are not.
Readiness Concerns. Employing foreign workers instead of qualified Americans is crippling our own skilled offshore workforce.
That’s where AOWFA comes in.
It’s vital to emphasize that the AOWFA does not alter existing law, rather rectifies an unjust loophole that favors low-wage foreign workers over American counterparts. The goal is simple: a fair chance for American mariners in an industry that should rightfully contribute to the growth of US jobs and economic prosperity.
“There is nothing that would make me think twice,” commented Governor Landry regarding his support for the Jones Act and its role in the American offshore maritime industry. “I stand with you unwaveringly.”
About Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA)
The Offshore Marine Service Association OMSA is the leading association of and spokesman and advocate for the offshore marine transportation service industry in the United States. The association represents 120-member companies and their 12,000 U.S. employees based throughout the U.S. For more information, please visit www.offshoremarine.org.
CONTACT:
media@annacomms.com
708-476-1258