Crescent Boatmen Okay 3-Year PactSIU members who sail aboard tugs operated by Crescent Towing approved a new three-year contract that improves health benefits and maintains four-person crews.
The vote, which took place from late April to early May aboard the boats and at the SIU hall in New Orleans, was 123-8 in favor of the agreement.
The SIU represents Crescent crew members on a total of 18 boats in New Orleans; Mobile, Ala.; and Savannah, Ga.
Serving on the union’s negotiating committee were New Orleans Engine Delegate David Walker, New Orleans Captain Delegate Joseph Carson, New Orleans Deckhand Delegate Richard Rosser, Mobile Captain Delegate Ronnie Walker, Mobile Engine Delegate Kyle Tucker, Mobile Deckhand Delegate John Wint, Savannah Deckhand Delegate Charlie Warren, SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey, SIU New Orleans Port Agent Steve Judd, and SIU Consultant (and retired Port Agent) Jim Martin.
SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez credited the union’s bargaining committee for “outstanding work” and also noted that Crescent “refused to bow to certain pressures from elsewhere in the industry. They realized, at the end of the day, that it benefits all concerned to have safe, reliable, enthusiastic crew members who feel like they’re partners, so to speak, rather than just numbers.”
Like everyone else involved, Corgey described the negotiations as tough, despite the long-standing productive working relationship between the union and the company. “But in very challenging economic conditions, we bargained in good faith to a fair compromise that protects the standard of living for employees while maintaining the competitiveness of the company,” Corgey noted. “I take my hat off to the rank-and-file delegate committee for doing a superb job and hanging in there. They really looked out for the people they work with.”
Negotiations took place in New Orleans and lasted about three weeks. In addition to gaining the top medical benefits offered by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (Plan G) and maintaining crew size, the contract changes rules concerning lay-ups so that Seafarers almost certainly will gain additional work.
“I’m proud we maintained people’s jobs,” Judd stated.
Carson said, “I feel we did very well, considering what we were up against. I think we came out of it great and the company did, too. We made compromises for the medical benefits, which is what everyone wanted. (Maintaining) the fourth man was first, then the benefits. We came out with both.”
A 24-year member of the SIU, Carson added that his spirits were lifted by “the strength of the union. If it wouldn’t have been for our brotherhood and the leadership of the SIU…. We knew we had their support, absolutely. We had everything from legal advice to guys from another union company willing to walk our picket line if we needed help.”
Walker, who also has served on numerous negotiating teams, said, “We got a little bloody but we lived to fight another day. I feel pretty good about the contract. (Keeping) the fourth man was the most important thing, along with the new medical plan. I’m 100 percent good with that.”
He pointed out that Crescent boatmen now will have full coverage for their dependents, including prescription coverage.
Similarly, Rosser noted, “The medical plan is a raise in itself—a lifesaver for a lot of people. I think we should be very happy with what we accomplished.”
A 30-year veteran of the tugboats, Rosser asserted, “One man’s job lost is one too many, and four men is what’s needed on Crescent tugs in the Gulf. I really do believe that. It’s safe and reasonable, and I hope other companies follow our precedent.”
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