ITF statement on terrorist attacks on London (7/8)

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has issued the following statement:

ITF Statement on Terrorist attacks on London

Yesterday’s attacks on rush hour transport were an abomination - a cowardly and filthy act of murder from a distance. They were also a failure. They will achieve only one thing, and that is to redouble the will of decent people everywhere to resist terrorism and uphold all that is best in our societies. The proof of this was seen on the streets of London, as it was in Madrid and New York and so many other places, when the emergency services, police, transport workers, the traveling public and men and women on the street all banded together to save lives, comfort the wounded, and keep this city working.

The ITF would like to thank all those from around the world - including New York, Madrid and the Arab world - who have sent messages of support, inquiries as to the welfare of those working in our London head office, and expressions of concern for all those affected by the attacks. In turn we, like everyone except the tiny minority behind this outrage, would like to send our best wishes and condolences to the families of those who died yesterday and to those who were wounded. Like everyone else in this city we will be thinking of them as we prove the terrorists wrong by looking after our fellow human beings and carrying on as normal.

David Cockroft
General Secretary
ITF

SIU-contracted NCL America is featured in a new promotion offered through Union Plus, a non-profit organization founded by the AFL-CIO to secure a variety of high quality, discounted products and services for union members and their families.

The new Union Plus Cruises program began July 1, featuring Hawaiian cruises on the U.S.-flag, union-crewed deep sea cruise ships: the Seafarers-crewed Pride of Aloha and Pride of America. It also is expected to include the Pride of Hawaii when that vessel joins the NCL America fleet in 2006.

“Union Plus Cruises feature a 5 percent discount off all cruises from Norwegian Cruise Line,” the organization noted in an announcement. “There may also be other special offers with savings up to 30 percent off selected sailings. A special introductory offer will give union families free air fare to Hawaii from Los Angeles and San Francisco and reduced air fare from over 100 gateway cities.”

The introductory offer for free or reduced air fare expires Sept. 30, 2005. Interested individuals may call 1-866-867-0593 and request promotion code AIR-UP1 to take advantage of this offer, or visit www.unionplus.org/cruises

Seafarers are eligible for a number of additional benefit programs offered through Union Plus, including mortgage and real estate services, union-made checks, an online tax service, health savings, an auto-buying program, music and computer discounts and more. The Seafarers LOG periodically publishes a complete list of those programs along with contact information. The same data is available at www.unionplus.org/

###

Pictured below are Seafarers working aboard the USNS Yano, a U.S. military support ship currently based in Baltimore. The photos were shot on June 30.

The Yano is a large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ship (LMSR) operated by SIU-contracted American Overseas Marine Corporation for the U.S. Military Sealift Command.

U.S. Senator Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) recently introduced S. 1272, a bill to amend title 46, United States Code, and title II of the Social Security Act to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II.

Similar legislation was introduced by U.S. Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) earlier this year. The House bill, H.R. 23, also is known as the Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2005.

More information about the bill is available on the American Merchant Marine at War home page, located here

Also, as previously noted, the Apostleship of the Sea recently passed a resolution in favor of the legislation.

A memorial on the banks of the Delaware River for the U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans and U.S. Navy Armed Guard Veterans who served on the merchant ships and manned the guns during World War II was dedicated on June 11 near the battleship New Jersey, in the historic area of the Camden, N.J. waterfront. The memorial is pictured below, courtesy of retired mariner Charles Mardigian. The large bronze propeller serves as the focal point. Landscaping, six flag poles, eight benches for seating and a brick promenade also are in place.