Life line for Avondale?

Two Louisiana lawmakers say the Navy will announce Friday steps to ensure continued work for 5,000 workers at Northrop Grumman’s Avondale, La., shipyard. Northrop plans to close the yard by 2013 and consolidate in Pascagoula, Miss. But the Navy plans to move up construction of tankers from 2017 to 2014 and will guarantee two amphibious transport ships now under construction in Avondale will be completed there, Sen. Mary Landrieu and Rep. Charlie Melancon said Thursday evening. Northrop Grumman is also exploring selling all its shipyards. (Source: Reuters, 09/16/10)