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President's Report

December 2004

Political Action—Always a Must With the new Congress just around the corner, Seafarers will have a lot at stake, both from a maritime standpoint and as part of the labor movement. Some of the most important issues we’ll advance during the coming year are the need for a strong U.S.-flag fleet, improving the critical state of health insurance, and recognizing that the freedom to choose union representation is a fundamental human right. As usual following Election Day, we already know there will be dozens of new members of the House and Senate come January, because of election results as well as retirements and career changes. As always, the SIU will make sure that those new legislators are familiar with the U.S. Merchant Marine, our issues and how we help boost America’s national and economic security. Preserving and growing our industry is a never-ending job. As Seafarers know, we’re in one of the most heavily regulated trades in the nation. That was true before the attacks of September 11 and it’s even more true today. And that alone is enough reason why it’s vital for us to remain politically active. We have further incentive, though. The U.S.-flag fleet constantly is under attack from foreign-flag interests on every imaginable level. Whether it’s cabotage laws or cargo preference or crew size or some other key part of our livelihoods that’s governed by federal laws, the confrontations don’t stop. The need to make sure our voices are heard on Capitol Hill doesn’t stop either. On that note, I thank the membership for your continued support of SPAD, the union’s voluntary political action fund. SPAD is essential for the SIU’s survival. Your support is just as important today as it was in the weeks and months leading up to Election Day. As we say in the SIU, “Politics is pork chops,” and “It takes a four-letter word (SPAD) to be heard!” Without question, politics also will play a big part in solving our country’s health care crisis. I’ve written about this subject many times this year, because it’s an issue that threatens every working family across the nation. Health insurance is the number one issue in contracts, and for some other unions it has led to strikes and lockouts from coast to coast. Last month, voters throughout the U.S. identified affordable health care as among their greatest concerns. It’s easy to understand why. The SIU will continue working with the other maritime unions and the rest of the labor movement to help solve this devastating problem. We also will step up to fight for protection of the freedom to choose union representation—one of the most important and hard-earned rights in America. Technically, the law gives workers that freedom of choice. Realistically, employers across the country continue to use threats, coercion and intimidation to block workers’ efforts to unionize, often with little or no penalty. Upholding employees’ rights to freely choose whether to form unions is the correct thing to do. In the long run, it’s also obviously important to the continued existence of all unions. These aren’t the only issues we’ll be working on in the next Congress, but they’re good indicators of what’s on the line and why we must always stand up for ourselves. We must protect our livelihoods, because no one’s going to do it for us. Happy Holidays To all Seafarers, retirees and their families, I wish you the safest and happiest holiday season and a great New Year. I especially ask that all of you join me in keeping our brother and sister Seafarers who are sailing in support of our armed forces in your thoughts and prayers. May they all have successful missions and safe return voyages, and the same goes for our troops overseas. Happy holidays and may God bless the SIU!