(Editor's note: There are a number of articles about the SIUNA convention appearing this month. Be sure to check them all out.)On the first anniversary of September 11, delegates representing the dozen affiliated organizations of the Seafarers International Union of North America (SIUNA) remembered the victims and heroes and also vowed to keep fighting for working families.
The delegates met Sept. 11-12 for the SIUNA's 24th convention, hosted by the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. During the quinquennial gathering, they called for actions to boost the U.S.- and Canadian-flag merchant marine, improve the living standards of working families, remain active and effective in politics, organize new members, and support the work of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) in its fight against runaway-flag shipping.
An estimated 250 delegates and guests attended the convention, which featured the theme "Leading the Way for Working Families." They heard from a notable lineup of guest speakers who proclaimed support for the merchant marine and for workers' rights. Addressing the convention were (in order): U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii); ITF General Secretary David Cockroft; American Maritime Officers President Michael McKay; Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO President Fred Mason, Jr.; Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association President Ron Davis; Masters, Mates & Pilots President Tim Brown; U.S. Maritime Administrator Capt. William Schubert; Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend; Maryland Comptroller William Donald Schaefer; Maersk Line, Ltd. CEO John F. Reinhart; AFL-CIO President John Sweeney; Rear Adm. David L. Brewer III, commander, U.S. Military Sealift Command; U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao; and AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department Vice President Ernie Whalen.
In addition, SIUNA affiliates reported on their recent activities, and delegates elected by acclamation President Michael Sacco and Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel. Sacco was re-elected while Heindel succeeded John Fay, who did not seek re-election. Nineteen vice presidents also were chosen by the convention. They are Theresa Hoinsky, Donna Walsh, Henry "Whitey" Disley, Gunnar Lundeberg, Tom Orzechowski, Nick Celona, Dean Corgey, René Lioeanjie, Kermett Mangram, Nick Marrone, Joseph Soresi, Augie Tellez, Roman Gralewicz, Jorge Cruz, Surinder Bhanot, James Martin, Orlando Diaz, Herb Perez and John Spadaro.
Topics on the convention agenda included port security, the war against terrorism, extending and expanding the Maritime Security Program, fairness for U.S. mariners and U.S.-flag companies, freedom of association, and Gulf Coast organizing. Delegates also examined such issues as "paycheck deception," health care, retirement security and political action.
President Sacco during his acceptance speech at the end of the convention noted, "During the past two days, we've laid out our objectives. Some are specific to the SIUNA, but many are part of the overall agenda of the AFL-CIO. And really, most of them boil down to one word: fairness. We want fair treatment for our members—and for all workers across the country and around the world. Good wages and benefits, safe working conditions, a voice in the workplace—that's what unions are all about. That's what the SIUNA is all about."
He concluded, "We learned a lot of lessons on September 11. One of those lessons is that we cannot take tomorrow for granted. That's why I challenge everyone in this room to rededicate yourselves to the SIUNA and the labor movement. Give your best effort every day on behalf of the people you represent. Get results that will benefit the membership. Continue 'leading the way for working families.' At the same time, we must never forget the people who worked so hard in the past to ensure that our union stayed strong and on a steady course.
"This is our time in history. I know we'll be smart enough and strong enough and dedicated enough to make the most of it."
The SIUNA was chartered in 1938. It consists of 12 autonomous affiliate unions, including the Seafarers International Union, Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, which is the largest U.S. union representing merchant mariners in the deep sea, Great Lakes and inland trades.
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