Mariners at Laken Shipping LLC recently voted to join the SIU.The Cleveland-based company operates an integrated tug-barge (ITB) that primarily hauls stone from Kelley’s Island, Ohio to Cleveland and Sandusky, Ohio.
Leading the organizing drive were SIU Vice President Great Lakes Tommy Orzechowski, SIU Algonac Port Agent Todd Brdak and Seafarer Tim McKenna, the union’s port steward for Great Lakes Towing Company in Cleveland.
“Congratulations are in order, both to our newest members and to those who worked on the organizing campaign,” said SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez. “Their contract is something to be proud of, and it’s great to have them aboard with the SIU family.”
Laken mariners in late March expressed unanimous support for joining the SIU, and the company quickly recognized the union as the exclusive bargaining representative for all seamen employed on its vessels. Laken’s ITB Cleveland/Cleveland Rocks is crewed by a captain, mate, engineer, lead deckhand and three other deckhands.
The newest Seafarers include Mate Garland Attaway, Deckhand Joel Budzar, Lead Deckhand Patrick Carney, Deckhand Tony Cenname, Deckhand Aaron Gordon, Engineer Matthew Hoban, Captain James Long, Deckhand Jeffrey Marin, Deckhand/Cook Eric Piascik and Engineer Mark Stevenson.
The ITB entered service for the season on April 7—one week after crew members unanimously approved a five-year contract that brought substantial improvements. Previously, the mariners had not received a pay raise for three years. They also had no holiday pay or pension plan, and their health insurance required co-payments.
Under the new contract’s terms, the crews received immediate wage increases and are scheduled for raises in each subsequent year of the pact. They are covered by the union’s top medical plan (Plan G), which does not require co-payments.
Additionally, they are enrolled in the Seafarers Money Purchase Pension Plan (SMPPP) and are eligible to upgrade at the union’s affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney Point, Md.
Other contract highlights include holiday and bereavement pay, establishment of a grievance procedure and implementation of a seniority system for layoffs, promotions and transfers.
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