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Heindel Re-elected ITF Vice Chairman

September 2002

The more than 570 delegates to the ITF 40th Congress unanimously re-elected SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel to the position of vice chairman of the organization’s Seafarers’ Section. Meeting in Vancouver, Canada from Aug. 14-21, representatives from hundreds of transport unions around the globe also re-elected Brian Orrell, the general secretary of NUMAST, the ship officers’ union of Great Britain, to the chairmanship of the Seafarers’ Section. Heindel is the second U.S. citizen to hold a top post in the Seafarers’ Section. He succeeded SIU Executive Vice President John Fay, who served as the section vice chair from 1992 to 1995 and then as section chair until December 2000. Important Mandate The ITF Seafarers’ Section brings together seafaring unions from every continent. It determines ITF policy regarding the campaign to end flags of convenience and to eliminate substandard working conditions on such vessels. The section also is charged with working within various international governmental bodies to ensure adequate shipping safety regimes. Finally, the section works to increase the use of national flag shipping around the world. Heindel has served as the SIU’s secretary-treasurer since 1997. He became a union official for the SIU in 1980 and first became vice chair of the Seafarers’ Section in December 2000. Commenting on Heindel’s election, ITF General Secretary David Cockroft said, “The Seafarers’ Section is very active and it is recognized worldwide for its tough approach to substandard shipping. Dave has played a strong leadership role in this campaign. We in the ITF are happy that he will continue to be our partner in this critical effort.” Fighting for Rights SIU President Michael Sacco congratulated Heindel, who joined his first ship in 1972, on his election. “The SIU is at the forefront of the fight for seamen’s rights and in his ITF position, Dave can really do a lot of good for our members, for American seamen in general and, really, all seafarers.” Sacco noted that SIU Executive Vice President John Fay recognized how important the ITF could be to SIU members and mariners everywhere and, thus, increased the SIU’s presence in the ITF. “Dave is building on what John did. This is so important for our members and our union because shipping is a global industry and seafarers’ unions— through the ITF—can have a global response,” Sacco said. “Dave’s great work in the ITF is really important to preserving and expanding our good jobs at home and making sure that we stop runaway flags and their substandard conditions in other parts of the world.”