From The Deckplates

Here are a couple of updates on items From the Deckplates has recently reported on.

On Brian Bryant Issues Statement as Trump’s Tariffs Hit Maine, posted March 6, 2025.

Yesterday, I reported that President Trump had imposed “25% tariffs on most imports from… Canada, along with a 10% tax on Canadian energy products.”¹ That evening, Maine Public reported tariffs on Canada have been suspended until April 2. It remains unclear whether this suspension applies to oil.² Governor Mills rightly criticized:

“While today’s temporary tariff reprieves are welcome, they are creating significant economic uncertainty that is also damaging to our people, businesses, and our economy. I urge the president to stop his pursuit of these unnecessary tariffs and focus on fulfilling his campaign commitment to lower the prices of eggs, bread, heat, housing, and cars.”³

Trump has had four years to come up with a tariff plan, or any plan for the economy. Clearly, Trump was not prepared to return to the presidency. His wishy-washy approach to tariffs is weak, but Canada is not pulling any punches. The AP reports that “Canada’s first wave of response tariffs will remain.”⁴ I can’t say I blame them for sticking to their guns.

On Trump Promotes Violence in the Workplace, posted February 11

Last month, I wrote about how Trump illegally firing NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox could promote violence in the workplace. The DC District Court who heard her case agreed. Yesterday, NLRB Edge reported the Court ordered “Wilcox continue to serve as an NLRB member.”⁵ The Court also acknowledged the NLRA was established “in response to a long and violent struggle for workers’ rights.”⁶ The Trump administration will appeal the District Court’s decision.

The union’s Legislative Committee was elected on October 29, but the Committee did not hold its first meeting until February 12.⁷ From the Deckplates published this article before the Legislative Committee met. In the next general membership meeting on February 15, Legislative Committeeperson Ryan Ryder reported:

“A couple members on the Committee reached out to the Maine Delegation on the firing of National Labor Relations Board member Gwynn [sic] Wilcox.”⁸

1. Scott Horsley, “American businesses reel as Trump tariffs start to bite, NPR,“ March 4, 2025. ↩︎
2. Kevin Miller, “Janet Mills welcomes suspension of tariffs on Canada but says chaos harms Maine’s economy,” Maine Public, March 6, 2025. ↩︎
3. Quoted in ibid. ↩︎
4. Rob Gillies, “Canada’s tariffs to remain despite Trump postponing tariffs on many imports from Canada for a month,” AP, March 6, 2025. ↩︎
5. Matt Bruenig, “District Court Rules NLRB Member Gwynne Wilcox Was Illegally Fired,” NLRB Edge, March 6, 2025. ↩︎
6. Gwynne Wilcox v. Donald Trump, 2025 United States District Court for the District of Columbia, 5. ↩︎
7. IAM Local S6, “2024 Local S6 Shop Steward & Committee Election Results,” news release, October 29, 2024; Committeeperson in conversation with author, February 12, 2025. ↩︎
8. General Membership Meeting Minutes, February 15, 2025, IAM Local S6. ↩︎