New Jobs, Support of U.S. Troops,
MSP Expansion Highlight 2003
Patriotic shipboard service in support of U.S. troops, numerous new job opportunities and a major legislative victory highlighted the year 2003 for the SIU.
The year started with Seafarers crewing up more than two dozen U.S. Ready Reserve Force (RRF) vessels and mobilizing a number of prepositioning ships for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
By late March, more than 2,000 Seafarers were sailing aboard military support ships involved in the war. That included 46 ships from the RRF and 47 vessels that compose part of the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet, plus at least 10 ships from the Government Services Division. Included in the latter group was the hospital ship USNS Comfort, which treated 650 patients during the war.
As OIF transitioned from all-out combat to the uncertain process of establishing a new government in Iraq, the performance of the U.S. Merchant Marine as America’s “Fourth Arm of Defense” was unquestioned. At least 3,000 civilian mariners had mobilized for OIF, with Seafarers crewing more than 100 vessels that delivered the troops, tanks, fuel and other materiel that helped coalition forces achieve swift and decisive victory.
Their efforts were appreciated. For instance, U.S. Maritime Administrator Capt. Bill Schubert called it the most efficient sealift operation in history.
The U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) made exceptional efforts to recognize mariners who sailed in support of OIF. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and MarAd hosted shipboard and pier-side ceremonies for dozens of U.S.-flag ships that sailed during the war. Crew members were presented with Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medals and certificates.
SIU President Michael Sacco was a guest speaker at several of those ceremonies. He credited Seafarers for their safe, reliable and dedicated service. He also cited the excellent cooperation across all segments of the industry for helping ensure the sealift mission's success.
A sampling of other comments on the merchant marine’s service:
“The role of the U.S. Merchant Marine once again proved critical to victory in 2003.” — DOT Secretary Norman Y. Mineta
“A strong U.S.-flag fleet was essential to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.” — U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
“Merchant mariners have risked their lives for democracy and for our country. The unsung heroes of the merchant marine are not just a part of history. They're a vital part of our joint force today.” — Gen. Richard B. Myers, USAF, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“Victory was made possible by America's dedicated merchant mariners.” — Gen. John W. Handy, USAF commander, U.S. Transportation Command.
“The U.S. Merchant Mariner has played a vital role in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.” — Vice Adm. David Brewer, commander, MSC.
MSP Extended, Expanded
In light of such well-earned accolades, it seemed fitting that as the year ended, President Bush signed a Defense bill that included a 10-year extension of the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP).
The original MSP, enacted in 1996, has bolstered U.S. sealift capabilities in many ways—chief among them, helping maintain a manpower pool of well-trained, dedicated U.S. seafarers and a fleet of militarily useful U.S.-flag commercial ships.
The new MSP begins as the current one expires in 2005, and it also increases the MSP fleet to 60 ships (from the current 47).
New Jobs
Throughout OIF, the SIU unfailingly upheld its obligations in the commercial sector. The union also aggressively secured new shipboard job opportunities for Seafarers. In 2003, the SIU made no fewer than 20 additions to its contracted fleet.
The list of new vessels included the cable ships Tyco Dependable and Tyco Decisive; trailerships Midnight Sun and North Star; prepositioning ships USNS Benavidez and USNS Roy Wheat; car carrier Freedom; Great Lakes vessel George A. Stinson; containership Manukai; ATBs Ocean Reliance/550-3 and Coastal Reliance 550-4; tanker Delaware Trader; missile range instrumentation vessel Observation Island; and passenger ferries Freedom, Admiral Richard E. Bennis, Bayonne, Governor Thomas H. Kean, Congressman Robert A. Roe and Jersey City.
The possibility of even more new jobs surfaced as Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) unveiled plans to start a U.S.-flag cruise division.
The union’s Government Services Division also expanded its fleet, adding the former Navy vessels Oscar E. Sette and USNS Rainier.
Additionally, cooperation and hard work between the Government Services Division and MSC yielded an historic decision that benefits CIVMARS and the agency. On March 31, the Federal Labor Relations Authority 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 the MSC headquarters level.
Progress in Piney Point
The SIU’s affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education made history as the union, school and Secretary Chao developed and approved the first ever National Apprenticeship Standards for the maritime industry.
The SIU, the Paul Hall Center and the administration of Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski teamed up to recruit and train dislocated workers from Alaska for careers in the U.S. Merchant Marine.
Also, the Paul Hall Center added three courses and opened a new facility next to its fire fighting and safety school in Piney Point, Md. MSC approved the school's small arms range along with two new curriculums — MSC Initial Small Arms Instruction and Qualification, and MSC Annual Small Arms Instruction and Re-Qualification. The U.S. Coast Guard approved the school’s new 70-hour Navigation Fundamentals course.
Health Care, Contracts, Plans
The nation's health care crisis manifested itself with nearly 80,000 trade unionists striking over employers’ unfair demands on medical benefits. The strikes covered five states, and some were ongoing through last month.
Despite the health insurance woes, SIU officials and rank-and-file Seafarers teamed up at Hannah Marine, Higman, and Crowley Towing and Transportation to negotiate new (respective) contracts that either secured or maintained top-of-the-line medical benefits while increasing wages.
Near the end of the year, the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) was finalizing an agreement with a medical company to provide pharmacy benefits to all eligible participants. The pact is expected to save money for participants and for the Plan.
The SHBP also made it easier for Seafarers to qualify for prescription benefits.
And, the Plan announced that six scholarships had been awarded. One Seafarer and five dependents of SIU members received grants worth a total of $120,000.
Early in the year, the Seafarers Pension Plan announced the Plan's Board of Trustees approved an increase of $100 in the basic Deep Sea Pension benefit, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2002.
Internationally Active
As usual, the SIU stayed active in the International Transport Workers’ Federation’s (ITF) fight against runaway-flag shipping. SIU ITF inspectors assisted crews from several so-called flag-of-convenience ships, securing hundreds of thousands of dollars in back pay for mariners from the White Seal, the Ousto and Regal Voyager.
The SIU also remained active in international and domestic forums pertaining to mariners’ rights, shipboard security and port security, including participation in meetings at the International Labor Organization and International Maritime Organization, and in submitting detailed comments to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
SIU ITF inspectors participated in an ITF seminar March 11-15 in Limassol, Cyprus.
And, the union played a role in the International Bargaining Forum's securing a new global agreement covering wages and working conditions of more than 50,000 mariners.
Many More Gains
The union’s ranks expanded as mariners at Starlight Marine in San Francisco and Buffalo Industrial Diving Company voted to join the SIU.
The SIU opened a new union hall at 10 East Clinton Street in Joliet, Ill., while the Houston hall was given a facelift.
The Department of Labor inducted the late SIU President Paul Hall into its Labor Hall of Fame.
The Seafarers International Union of North America welcomed the American Maritime Officers as its newest autonomous affiliate.
The AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department continued to stand up for the MSP, the Jones Act and other maritime programs vital to the U.S.-flag fleet.
Rescues, Recognition
SIU crews upheld the finest traditions of the Brotherhood of the Sea. The American Mariner crew rescued four fishermen; the Horizon Hawaii crew rescued three people in the Atlantic; and the LNG Libra crew rescued two Filipino fishermen in the Celebes Sea.
SIU-contracted Alaska Tanker Company reached several safety milestones, including one year without any of ATC’s ships spilling any oil to sea.
SIU crews from the Faust, Mokihana, Northern Lights and USNS Concord were honored at the annual Admiral of the Ocean Seas ceremony for rescues performed in the previous year.
Three Seafarers Government Services Division ships earned safety awards: the USNS Leroy Grumman, USNS San Jose and USNS Navajo.
Other News
SIU ferry crews helped transport commuters from New York City during the Aug. 14 power failure which forced the evacuation of office buildings and stranded thousands of commuters.
Hurricane Isabel caused damage at the Paul Hall Center, knocked out electricity at SIU headquarters for several days and also caused power outages at SIU halls in Baltimore, Brooklyn and Boston.
Finally, the union mourned the passing of retired officials Joe Goren, Roy “Buck” Mercer and Steve Troy.
Printer Friendly Page