STATEMENT ON WORKFORCE PROTECTIONS BILLS

March 10, 2005

It is without any reservation that I strongly oppose the proposed bill to amend the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act [H.R. 940] on several very important grounds. 

First and foremost, this bill [H.R. 940] would erode hard-won rights and protections for some of the hardest working people in this country.  By undoing the 1984 bipartisan Amendments that exempted most of the recreational marine industry, this bill would replace livable workers’ compensation rates under the Longshoreman's Act with what amount to poverty-level benefits in most State workers’ compensation programs.  In other words, it would subsidize the building, repair and maintenance costs of the multi-million dollar yacht owners quite literally on the backs of seriously injured workers and the families of others killed in dangerous work on vessels that could be of any length, from 200 to 500 feet, or longer. 

In addition to denying countless workers and family's adequate coverage when faced with injury or death on-the-job, H.R. 940 would deny a significant number of workers any coverage at all. 

H.R.940 is a reckless and dangerous piece of legislation.  I ask unanimous consent that a letter from the AFL-CIO confirming this assessment be entered in the Record

at this point.  H.R. 940 rewards the super-rich at the expense of hard-working Americans and their families.  It leaves some groups of workers without any compensation whatsoever and, at the same time takes away their legitimate right to address claims for damages in the courts.  The bill raises pressing Constitutional questions.  And it undermines the fundamental American concept of fairness.  For all these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in adamant opposition to H.R. 940.     

I am introducing an amendment to the HR940 Longshoreman and Workers' Rights Act that has one main purpose: to restore current law under the Longshoreman Act with respect to the exemption for the recreational marine industry.  In essence, this amendment would restore adequate workers’ compensation to American workers most likely to be killed or seriously injured on the job.    

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