On Oct 7, 9:30 pm, Charles wrote:
> In article <1191805670.757563.88...@22g2000hsm.googlegroups.com>, NWLB
>
> wrote:
> > Doesn't the ILA also champion the Jones Act, with is supposed to
> > "save" jobs, but basically chokes off any chance to really open the
> > U.S. coasts as fertile grounds for intra-U.S. cruises?
>
> Is that a fact or did you make that up? From your wording it sounds
> like you might have made it up. Please give a reference. The Jones act
> doesn't even effect cruises. It is the Passenger Act you are thinking
> about. Since the Longshoreman load and unload ships rather than crew
> them they may not even have a position on either act.
>
> --
> Charles
No, its a fact. While I don't think they are buying billboards in
Washington DC, they, like many unions, companies, and others, belong
to, and financially support the various groups which front their case
for them. Example: http://www.mctf.com/members.shtml In and of
itself, there isn't a thing wrong with their organization lobbying at
all. Unions and their lobbying efforts are something I consider
something that is deeply rooted in the proverbial American way of
life. Hell, I come from a family of IBEW from both sides of the
family, and I'm far from anti-union per say. Honestly I have not real
view as to the piers staying open or not.
Strictly speaking, you are right, it is the Passenger Vessel Service
Act of 1886, which I think was revised in the late 1920s. And that
was effectively linked forever with the Jones Act when the Merchant
Marine Act of 1920 when through. Practically speaking however, given
how cabotage law works, you really don't get the PVSA without dealing
with the Jones Act. Each has a way of scratching the others back.
I did a fair amount of reading on cabotage law about two years ago,
drafting an essay for the early version of RCI Fan. Someplace around
here, I've got a stack of articles I printed, and some notes on the
topic. I can't cite bible and verse on the topic. However, I read a
lot on both sides of the issue. It was an education in how lobbying,
interwoven agendas, and how groups fight nearly unrelated battles to
protect their core interests.
The point being, it is ironic they are ostensibly fighting to keep
cruise ships coming to Manhattan, by protecting facilities the real
world and industry has passed by. Much as they fight any PVSA and or
Jones Act reform, and in doing so, actually hurt themselves more than
adapting would help them. In both cases, they make a big public deal
about fighting for a handful of jobs, while possibly denying
themselves far more.
NWLB
***********************
www.RoyalCaribbeanFan.com
ALL CABOTAGE LAW, ALL THE TIME! :)
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