Pride and a spirit of partnership took center stage at the third triennial convention of the Seafarers Entertainment & Allied Trades Union (SEATU), held Aug. 10-11, 2004 at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md.SEATU, an affiliate of the SIU, was chartered in 1995 with 169 members in Alton, Ill. Nine years later, with more than 4,000 members, this two-day meeting and election of officers was convened in the immediate aftermath of a recent organizing victory aboard NCL America’s Pride of Aloha, bringing thousands of new jobs for the rank-and-file membership.
SIU President Michael Sacco, who also is president of SEATU, referred to this win in his opening remarks when he said, “The Pride of Aloha, in particular, was a great victory for us. The ship itself is big and beautiful, but the truly important thing is what the vessel represents: good jobs for Americans, a boost for the economy, and the rebirth of the U.S.-flag deep sea cruise ship industry.”
Good RelationshipsFollowing a DVD presentation on the christening ceremonies of the Pride of Aloha, Capt. William Schubert, the U.S. Maritime Administrator and a dedicated fighter for the U.S.-flag merchant fleet, talked about the demise of the U.S.-flag cruise ship industry after September 11, 2001 and how important partnership was in getting this ship (as well as two additional ships—the Pride of America and the Pride of Hawaii —which should be in service within the next two years) out of the shipyard. It was a cooperation between management and labor as well as bipartisan support in Congress that gave us the opportunity to sail these ships, he noted, “and we need to continue to work together to put more jobs on U.S. ships.”
The necessity of maintaining good relationships with Congress on a bipartisan level was further addressed by Terry Turner, the union’s director of legislative affairs. To get a certain level of cooperation on the Hill, Turner reported, we need to support those who support us—whether they be Democrats or Republicans.
He talked about the SIU’s SPAD program and challenged SEATU to start a similar voluntary donation system. “The only way to become a player,” Turner told the convention delegates, representatives and officials, “is to become a contributor.” Some industries are more heavily regulated than others, but the fact is that every job, one way or another, is affected by rules and regulations handed down by the government. By developing a relationship with congressional representatives and their staffs, he said, we are more welcome to meet with them to discuss how we can help promote and protect our members’ interests and jobs.
SEATU Assistant Vice President Elizabeth Brown started her union career 12 years ago as an SIU member aboard the “White Ships”—the Independence and Constitution —and has played an important role in helping ensure the success of SEATU, most recently aboard the Pride of Aloha. While noting that everyone has worked very hard to get the newly re-flagged ship on its 7-day Hawaiian island itinerary, “the job will only be done when the second and third ships have arrived,” she stated. Brown suggested all the delegates go back to their halls and tell the members about what is going on in the industry. “Be proud,” she said, “of what your union is doing, not just for SEATU, but also for America.”
The importance of pride, partnership and cooperation was further highlighted by Dick Glasier, president and CEO of Argosy Gaming Co. Argosy owns and operates six properties in which SEATU members work: Baton Rouge, La.; Joliet, Ill.; Lawrenceburg, Ind.; Sioux City, Iowa; Kansas City, Mo.; and Alton, Ill. Glasier informed the convention delegates that a big part of Argosy’s success is its link with organized labor in general and SEATU in particular. The union provided technical know-how, marine expertise and political support in helping them acquire their first casino, the Alton Belle, and the support from SEATU members and officials has never wavered, he stated.
Revenues are up in the casinos, Glasier acknowledged, and that is because they are providing customers what they want. “Our employees are a large part of that,” he added, stating that the SEATU employees are very focused and take pride in excelling in their jobs.
Competition is fierce in the gaming industry, the CEO explained. “But we have a relationship with SEATU, and that is a key part of our competitive advantage.”
He thanked the union delegates and said he hoped to give them good news in the future about additional properties they hope to acquire and staff with SEATU members. “What’s good for the growth of Argosy is good for the SEATU membership,” Glasier said in his closing remarks. “We’ll work to make that happen.”
OrganizingSEATU Vice President Tom Orzechowski, who graduated from the SIU’s trainee program in 1991, has done a tremendous amount of work as an organizer to help ensure the success and growth of SEATU. He spoke about the persistence of a large low-wage labor market, the difficulty employees have in obtaining a voice in the workplace and the absence of a sustained and serious national debate about these concerns—and how more than 40 million non-union workers want a union in their workplace but can’t have one under current law.
He said, “As foot soldiers of the labor movement, sometimes we organizers need help. Help from not only the employees or our current members, but from the federal government. The Employee Free Choice Act will give them a fighting chance.”
He urged the delegates to return to their facilities or vessels and speak to their fellow employees and encourage them to help organize the unorganized, participate in union activities and become active advocates for the Employee Free Choice Act.
BenefitsOne of the benefits of being a SEATU member is the training offered by instructors from the Paul Hall Center, both in Piney Point and on site. John Mason is CEO of American Service Technology, Inc., the company that provides curriculums and educational guidance to the Paul Hall Center. He informed the convention delegates about the on-site training being given at Argosy and aboard the Pride of Aloha as well as other facilities and asked them to make sure their fellow employees sign up for the training.
Mason presented a slide show and passed out booklets about the capabilities of the Paul Hall Center in providing any kind of training necessary, from cooking and personal safety to fire fighting and security to slot tech training and academic degrees—“everything to meet the needs of the members.”
Another benefit of belonging to SEATU is participation in the Union Plus program. Valerie Lilja, the AFL-CIO Union Plus representative for SEATU and the SIU provided program information to the group about the cost savings available to union members through the program. The credit card program is the most popular, she noted, but also available are scholarship awards, educational loans, prescription savings, auto purchase and insurance, car rentals, movie tickets, and more.
Lilja said that Union Plus is always on the lookout for quality programs and benefits designed to improve the lives of union members and save them money. New programs this year include a credit counseling program, health club discounts, home heating oil discounts, education services and a travel program. For more information, union members can visit www.unionplus.org.
ConclusionBefore adjourning the triennial convention, delegates voted to approve 10 resolutions, read by SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez, and to return the current officers to lead the union through the next three years. Re-elected were President Michael Sacco, Executive Vice President/ Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel, Vice President Tellez and Vice President Orzechowski.
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