For the SIU, the year 2004 was packed with important news and substantial progress.
Seafarers began the year by mobilizing for the second phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom’s sealift component; they finished 2004 by activating for OIF3. In so doing, they reliably supported our troops and strongly upheld their role as part of the nation’s fourth arm of defense.
When it came to new shipboard job opportunities, the union once again had no shortage of gains. Among all the additions, NCL America’s Pride of Aloha garnered the most headlines, as it signaled the rebirth of the deep sea U.S.-flag cruise ship industry.
Less obviously, but also with great significance, the union negotiated contracts that unfailingly included top-of-the-line medical benefits at affordable rates. Given the dismal state of health insurance costs across the country, the SIU’s steady victories at the bargaining table arguably were remarkable in their consistency.
“This is a great time for our union,” noted SIU President Michael Sacco. “We made a lot of progress in the past 12 months and I’m looking forward to another good year with the support of the membership. What we’ve accomplished has happened because of teamwork—a team that cares about the issues and gets things done.”
Following is a look back at some of the highlights from 2004.
New Ships, More Jobs
Christened in Honolulu on Independence Day, the Pride of Aloha marked a milestone in the U.S.-flag deep sea cruise ship industry’s rebirth. The first of three such ships planned by NCL America, the Pride of Aloha set sail in July and offers seven-day, round-trip Hawaii itineraries.
That ship was far from the only new SIU-crewed vessel in 2004. Among other additions were the Liberty Eagle, Liberty Maritime Corp.’s eighth vessel, which transports food shipments overseas; the chemical tanker Charleston, which carries various chemicals between U.S. Gulf and East Coast ports; Alaska Tanker Company’s newly built Alaskan Frontier and Alaskan Explorer; and Matson’s new containership Maunawili.
Additionally, construction continued on the first two Lewis and Clark-class ships—T-AKE vessels that will be manned by members of the union’s Government Services Division. CIVMARs also welcomed new jobs as the USNS Bridge transferred from commissioned service to the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC).
Adding a new twist to its role as part of the fourth arm of defense, the SIU gained jobs aboard a semi-submersible craft under the direction of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.
In a major maritime development, SIU-contracted operators won bids for 11 LMSRs, including the seven Bob Hope ships and four converted ships. Seafarers-contracted American Overseas Marine Corporation (AMSEA) will be the new operator of nine LMSRs, including the seven Bob Hope-class ships and two converted vessels. SIU-contracted 3PSC, LLC will operate two other converted LMSRs. MSC announced the bid awards in early September.
A protest of the awards delayed the turnover but was not expected to change MSC’s original decisions in favor of AMSEA and 3PSC, respectively. In fact, the government recently upheld the latter award, and a ruling on AMSEA’s contract was expected as this issue of the LOG went to press.
The Bop Hope ships are the USNS Benavidez, USNS Bob Hope, USNS Brittin, USNS Fisher, USNS Mendonca, USNS Pililaau and USNS Seay. AMSEA also will operate the USNS Shughart and USNS Yano, while 3PSC, LLC will operate the USNS Gordon and USNS Gilliland.
Seafarers also experienced upgrades in the form of replacement tonnage. Maersk Line, Limited replaced six older ships with newer ones in the U.S. Maritime Security Program; Waterman is doing the same with two of its MSP ships.
Further, the SIU maintained jobs on seven surveillance ships when MSC awarded an operating contract to Horizon Lines.
Finally, the union won organizing campaigns at Hornblower Marine Services in Philadelphia; Puerto Rico Towing in San Juan; and Laken Shipping LLC in Cleveland.
Supporting Our Troops
Thousands of Seafarers sailed in OIF2 and OIF3, with dozens of SIU-crewed vessels on the move as of late last month.
In one of the more newsworthy missions, five Seafarers-crewed LMSRs loaded out more than 70,000 tons of Army hardware in Antwerp, Belgium for the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division, better known as Big Red One. Additionally, among many other key missions involving Seafarers-crewed military support ships, the Flickertail State delivered critical cargo to U.S. Marines in Haiti.
High-level recognition of the U.S. Merchant Marine’s importance was evident throughout the year. Early in 2004, three well respected U.S. military leaders jointly testified before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee’s Seapower Subcommittee, where they reaffirmed the U.S. Merchant Marine’s importance in national security.
Gen. John W. Handy, USAF, commander, U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM); Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III, USN, commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC); and Maj. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, USA, commanding general, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC—formerly the Military Traffic Management Command), submitted a joint statement to the subcommittee March 10. Chaired by Sen. James Talent (R-Mo.), the hearing pertained to a mobility requirements study.
Additionally, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow and U.S. Maritime Administrator Capt. William Schubert emphatically stated the administration’s support for the U.S. Merchant Marine during the Maritime Trades Department executive board meeting in Hollywood, Fla.
Contracts, Benefits
Even as health care benefits clearly became the top issue in contracts across the country—for all unions—the SIU secured agreement after agreement that maintained or established good, affordable coverage along with other gains. New pacts were approved at Material Services Corporation, Allied Transportation, Cape Fear Towing, USS Transport, Keystone Barge, Bisso, Moran, Seabulk, and Crescent Towing.
The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) made two bold moves resulting in savings to the Plan and to participants while maintaining quality health insurance coverage levels. One was an agreement with Prescription Solutions, the other a contract with First Health Network.
Benefits conference dates for 2005 were announced, and the SHBP also selected one Seafarer and five SIU dependents for scholarships worth a total of $106,000.
The Plan contracted with new clinics in Charleston, S.C. and Boston.
The NMU Welfare Plan merged into the SHBP. Benefits remained the same, but consolidating their administration saved money.
Shipboard and Port Security
Shipboard and port security commanded enough attention to write a series of books, but among the most significant developments were the July 1 implementations of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code as well as the Maritime Transportation Security Act.
The Seafarers-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education added and refined courses pertaining to shipboard security.
The SIU participated in domestic and international forums on security, including extensive involvement in the U.S. Coast Guard’s Area Maritime Security Committees.
The 9/11 Commission Report identified need to invest in maritime security.
The Apostleship of the Sea worked to improve potentially dangerous and often unnecessary restrictions on mariners’ shore-leave rights.
ITF
The SIU remained an active affiliate of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, an organization that fights for workers’ rights around the globe.
Among many other activities, SIU ITF inspectors recovered millions of dollars in combined back pay for crew members from the foreign-flag ships Olympia Explorer, Olympia Voyager, Taxiarchis Sierra, Sealight, SafMarine Douala, Alice, Kent Trader and Flinternoord.
Rescues, Recognition
The Seafarers-crewed Merlin rescued an officer adrift from a stricken vessel near Malta.
MSC praised crew members from several SIU-crewed ships for limiting the damage caused by a fire aboard the USNS Shughart overseas.
The Resolve received a U.S. Coast Guard award for rescuing two fishermen.
SIU members aboard the Tyco Decisive assisted in the grim task of recovering bodies from a water-taxi tragedy that claimed five lives in Baltimore.
Other News
The industry welcomed long-awaited news that a tonnage tax had been enacted into law, likely helping provide a more level playing field for companies operating U.S.-flag fleets.
The SIU joined with other unions in continuing to push for enactment of the Employee Free Choice Act, which protects workers’ rights to choose union representation.
Union families provided a big turnout on Election Day in national, state and local elections.
The U.S. Merchant Marine was included in the new National World War II Memorial, which officially opened May 29.
Members of the American Merchant Marine Veterans lobbied for legislation that would provide monthly payments to mariners who sailed during World War II.
The SIU’s Houston hall was refurbished, and a number of improvements also were made to the Paul Hall Center’s already first-rate simulator building.
The SIU conducted elections for 27 union offices.
In Memoriam
The union mourned the loss of far too many individuals who contributed to its progress, including Manuel “Joe” Sigler, former patrolman, port representative and safety director (age 76); Michael E. Swayne, SIU trustee (69); George McCartney, retired vice president West Coast (72); Paul Warren, retired patrolman (91); Rick Reisman, longtime director of the Seafarers Addictions Rehabilitation Center (57); Roger Boschetti, retired patrolman and business agent (82); Peter Drews, retired patrolman (76); Major Ken Conklin, founder of the Paul Hall Center’s trainee program (86); Jim Malone, Philadelphia port agent (56); Martha Carr, co-director of the SHBP claims department (51); Victor Hanson, a maritime lawyer who assisted the union on a variety of legal matters (80); Ed Turner, retired executive vice president (82); Ike Williams, retired NMU port agent (71); Steve Edney, retired United Industrial Workers national director (87); and Keith Terpe, retired SIU of Puerto Rico president (80).
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