Awareness Team Meeting

Present

Joseph Miniace, Pacific Maritime Association, Awareness Team Leader
Bob Christensen, MARAD, Office of Ports and Domestic Shipping
Robert Dockendorff, Pacific Maritime Association
Carol Lambos, United States Maritime Alliance Limited
Rene Mansho, Hawaii State Association of Counties
Bob McEllrath, International Longshore & Warehouse Union
Peter Peyton, International Longshore & Warehouse Union
Victoria Stevens, Organization of Women in International Trade
(Other MTSNAC and MARAD representatives stopped by for short periods during the meeting. Only persons who actually signed the "sign-in" sheet are shown as present.)

Joe Miniace opened the meeting at 10:00 a.m. by presenting a brief history of the Walter P. Chrysler home, which is now the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy administration building. The meeting was held in the dining room, which remains much as it was before the Academy was established.

A general discussion of the December 18, 2000 and the May 4, 2001 White Papers followed. A question concerning the value of assigning priorities to the various findings that were discussed in the May 4 version of the paper was raised. It was agreed that the list of findings (recommended actions) at the end of the May 4 paper was a valuable addition, but it would be difficult to prioritize the various recommendations.

Many of the findings involved the need to strengthen and modernize the MTS infrastructure. There was consensus that the condition of the infrastructure is critical to the economic well being of the MTS and to the economy of the U.S. and its international trading partners.

The subject of "work rules," as it is used in the White Paper, was discussed. Peter Peyton noted that work rules promulgated by management may impact the efficiency of operations as much as union work rules.

Payment for the December 18, 2000 White Paper Consultants

Payment to Martin Associates, the principal author for the work performed by John Martin, JWD, and WEFA was discussed. Joe Miniace said he would discuss the issue with Maggie Blum, Associate Administrator for Port, Intermodal, and Environmental Activities.

The White Paper, Discussion of Content and Distribution Options

There was a discussion of whether or not an "executive summary" was needed. One attendee noted "you cannot expect the attention span to exceed one page for many readers." Joe Miniace explained that this paper was targeted toward an identified audience that should have sufficient interest to pursue the paper in its entirely. As far as the general public is concerned, we may need a paper summarizing the paper content at some time in the future. Joe continued by explaining that he envisioned the paper as being a "living document" that would be updated on a periodic basis.

Rene Mansho addressed user fees that the maritime industry pays to the federal government. She distributed a government-produced paper that outlined the various fees that the maritime industry and shippers pay. The list was quite extensive although it was noted that the greatest amount of money collected was generated from customs fees paid by shippers.

The significance of the SEA-21 proposal and its impact in raising the level of awareness of the MTS to the level enjoyed by surface and air transportation was discussed, including the foundation established by the original ISTEA legislation.

Peter Peyton said that the ILWU had several issues with the White Paper and that the Union would address these issues in a separate paper that would be available in the near future. Raising Awareness of the MTS using the White Paper

Joe Miniace suggested that MTSNAC members distribute the White Paper throughout the MTS. It was suggested that various MTSNAC members mail copies of the White Paper to their various constituencies. Bob McEllrath objected to the mail push concept. Joe continued by stressing the importance of outreach to all MTS stakeholders. Mr. Miniace emphasised that increased awareness of the MTS by government officials and the public is vital to the health and expansion of the U.S. economy.

There being no public comment, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.