AFL-CIO, local leaders to host rally in support of Bartlett Maritime project

LORAIN – Several local and state trade unions will rally in support of a proposed submarine dry dock facility in Lorain. The Ohio AFL-CIO, the State Building and Construction Trades Council, the AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department, and Bartlett Maritime Corporation will hold a rally in support of Barlett Martime's proposed projects in Lorain and Lordstown at 10 a.m. May 2 at Black River Landing in Lorain. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland, area trades and union leaders and representatives from Lorain and Lordstown will be in attendance to promote the potential U.S. Navy dry dock in Lorain and supply depot in Lordstown. The project could create 4,000 permanent metal trades jobs, and another 2,00 to 3,000 construction jobs, according to an AFL-CIO news release. "Union workers built this country and strengthened our national security. Ohioans in Lorain, Lordstown and across the state are ready now to do our part by expanding and improving our Naval shipyard performance," Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga said in a news release. "Strategic investments in the Marine Highway are crucial to the Navy's efficiencies and readiness and workers in Ohio and the Great Lakes region have what it takes to advance this mission." Bartlett Maritime proposed two naval dry docks in Lorain, which would be leased to the Navy for 30 years, followed by its full ownership, and a supplemental supply depot in Lordstown. The proposal looks to fill military maintenance needs highlighted in a U.S. Government Accountability Office report. That report noted from 2008 to 2018, more than three submarines were parked continuously for maintenance, overdue for completion or awaiting overhaul at any given time, out of the Navy's 50-vessel fleet. "The Bartlett Maritime Plan builds on Ohio's long heritage of support for the U.S. Navy and leverages the state's abundant resources and world-class union workforce to help the Navy address the national security challenges associated with both nuclear-powered ship maintenance and submarine construction," Bartlett Maritime founder Capt. Edward Bartlett said in a news release.