Oral Arguments in Metal Trades Case Against Coast Guard

Metal Trades vs. Coast Guard

WASHINGTON, April 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On April 17, 2008, the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Honorable
Gene E. K. Pratter presiding, heard the arguments of the parties in
Philadelphia Metal Trades Council v. Allen. The case involves a challenge by
the Philadelphia Metal Trades Council ("Metal Trades Council") and the Metal
Trades Department (MTD) to the controversial rulings by the United States
Coast Guard that allow Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. to utilize major ship
components from foreign manufacturers in the construction of vessels subject
to the Jones Act. The Metal Trades Council and the Department are asking the
Court to set aside the Coast Guard's rulings.

To this point, the proceedings have been subject to a protective order
limiting the disclosure of certain information in the case.

The Metal Trades Council and the Department represent some 600 workers in 11
unions at the Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.

SOURCE Metal Trades Department AFL-CIO

Greg Kenefick, +1-410-263-7134, for the Metal Trades Department AFL-CIO