Joining the America’s Work Force Union Podcast is the President of the Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO, James Hart. The Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO is home to 17 national and international unions. The members work in nuclear power plants, public and private shipyards, the Department of Defense and other heavy manufacturing installations.
Dating back to the mid-1800s, submarines have been a developing idea to support the U.S. military. Hart discussed the USS Holland and its impact on the continued development of submarines. He shared how the original subs were much smaller than the current submarines, sometimes only 5 feet wide. As submarines grew in size and technological capabilities, their impact on world history continued to grow, Hart said.
Dating back to World War I, German submarines— known as U-boats — were influential as a deterrent in the European theater. Hart discussed the impact of submarines in the attack on Pearl Harbor and how they continued to allow the United States to enter into the Asian theater and not be at a disadvantage. As the United States has recently entered a three-way security pact, the submarine production work must increase to fulfill the deal's requirements, he said.
Hart believes that to assist in the fulfillment of the deal, the projected submarine dry dock in Lorain, Ohio, will be a necessity. As union members continue to repair vessels, it will be the new facility that Hart believes will begin production of new submarines. Unfortunately, there are still some obstacles to overcome according to Hart. Many of these obstacles involve internal processes related to government contracts.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.