John and Hubert Cain have a combined 75 years of experience in the SIU. It’s no surprise, then, that the brothers understand the importance of the union’s voluntary political action fund (SPAD).“It’s the backbone of the whole union,” said John, who lives in the Houston area. “I’ve been to Washington (D.C.) and I see where the money goes. It’s like politics anywhere—if you don’t get the money (for political contributions), you don’t get support for your industry.”
The brothers recently showed their continued support of SPAD by donating enough to secure the new jackets that are part of a promotional program which began earlier this year. In that program, scheduled to last through July 2003, Seafarers who contribute to the fund through a check-off authorization found on the vacation application (and also available at the union halls) will receive a SPAD lapel pin (for an authorized contribution amount of 50 cents per day); the pin and a SPAD T-shirt ($1 per day); or the pin, shirt and a SPAD baseball cap ($1.50 or more per day).
The SPAD jacket is available to members who make a one-time donation of $300 or more in addition to their check-off authorization.
“The jackets will be a hit when people see them,” said Hubert, who retired in 1999 but helps out at the SIU hall in Mobile, Ala. “It’s a quality jacket and it gets the name out there, too.”
John, a bosun on the shoregang, described the SPAD jacket as “good value for the money” and credited the union for supporting pro-maritime candidates regardless of political party. He also complimented SIU President Michael Sacco and other members of the union’s executive board. “It’s unreal how far we’ve come, and they’ve done so much. To name just one example, I never thought I’d see a foreign-flag ship reflag under the Stars and Stripes. Now, it’s happening.”
Hubert said he has only one complaint about the SPAD jacket: “It fits well, but it’s been 80 degrees every day lately!”
He added that he enjoys working at the hall. “I know all those guys. I tell the kids, I went to sea with your daddy.’”
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