Cooperation and hard work between the union's Government Services Division and the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) have yielded an historic decision that will benefit both CIVMARS and MSC.On March 31, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) issued a decision and order granting the union's and MSC's joint petition requesting consolidation of the east and west coast CIVMAR units. The union also requested and was granted recognition at MSC's headquarters level. This is the same level of recognition given to licensed employee unions.
"Our major goal is to secure one contract and bring wage parity to members on both coasts," noted SIU Government Services Division Vice President Kermett Mangram. "The FLRA's decision will allow that to happen."
The FLRA pronouncement accomplishes another goal in the memorandum of understanding signed by the union and MSC in June 2002. This MOU outlined a labor strategy with a sequence of goals including the negotiation of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the Civil Mariner Personnel Instructions (CMPI, MSC's workplace instructions and guidance) and wage parity for CIVMARS. Although this process is expected to take a long time to complete, the parties continue their work toward each objective.
As previously reported in the Seafarers LOG, this petition ensures that, when wage parity is implemented, no mariner will receive a lower base pay as a result of implementing wage parity for all CIVMARS. Once all the steps in the MOU have been completed, a mariner will receive the higher rate of pay for the position in which he or she sails for the ship class to which he or she is assigned. If a higher rate of pay exists for a position on the West Coast, the East Coast mariner will receive the increase. The same will be true if the East Coast position is paid at a higher base pay wage rate.
Once wage parity has been achieved, MSC will implement an "any ship, any ocean" policy. As is currently done in the private sector, CIVMARS will receive assignments to ships sailing from either coast to any destination.
Negotiations are ongoing for both a new CBA and a revised CMPI. Until new agreements are signed, the current ones remain in effect.
"The ruling will allow the union to negotiate with more strength," noted East Coast SIU Government Services Division Representative Kate Hunt. "We'll have one CBA and CMPI. There were enough common interests to warrant coming together as one. I also believe there's no question it'll help MSC, because they won't have to administer so many different rules."
She added, "The fact that both sides worked hard and the parties decided to file a joint petition says a lot about the strong working relationship we currently have with MSC."
The FLRA decision included criteria it used in ruling on the petition. To ensure the consolidation was appropriate, the authority had to decide whether the new unit would ensure a clear and identifiable community of interest among employees; would promote effective dealings between the union and the agency; and would promote efficiency of operations of the agency.
Included in the new unit are all civilian marine personnel employed by MSC whose position does not require possession of a U.S. Coast Guard license. By law, these positions are excluded: civilian marine personnel who must possess a Coast Guard license, West Coast supply department mariners, radio electronics technicians, chief radio electronics technicians, and employees included in other existing bargaining units.
Mangram said it's possible that the West Coast supply department mariners eventually may be included in the unit. He also emphasized that the SIU "didn't want to exclude people from the unit, but the law is the law. We had no choice." Although these mariners are not members of the bargaining unit, SIU Government Services Division representatives are sometimes able to assist them, depending upon the issue involved.
Chet Wheeler, West Coast Government Services Division representative, noted that "although we still have a long way to go to accomplish all our goals, CIVMARS have shown the union great spirit and support. Communication between the union and the members is excellent. Overall, the FLRA's ruling is great news for CIVMARS--for the first time in MSC history, there will be one union representing the unlicensed employees."
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