Reprinted from past issues of the Seafarers LOG.1947
SIU Organizational Director Paul Hall announced last week the signing of a closed shop contract with the American Eastern Steamship Corporation after a 60-day organizing campaign. “In making this announcement,” Hall said, “full credit should be given to the SIU volunteer organizers who sailed aboard American Eastern ships and made possible the signing of a contract for this new company. The fact that it took only 60 days to secure the agreement gives proof to another swell job of organizing done by the rank and file Seafarer.”
1967
Seafarers at regular monthly meetings in all constitutional ports enthusiastically voted to endorse and support the newly formed Maritime Defense League. In approving the purposes of the new organization, the membership called for maximum publicity in support of the League by all Seafarers. The new organization is a voluntary body set up to assure that maritime workers, faced with legal problems or charges threatening their personal liberties, are assured their fundamental American rights to counsel and other assistance. Robert A. Matthews, SIU vice president in charge of contracts and contract enforcement, has been selected chairman of the Defense League and offices have been established at One Hanson Place in Brooklyn, N.Y.
1987
The U.S. Navy’s first active hospital ship in 13 years, the USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), departed San Diego on Friday, Feb. 27 for a four-month training and humanitarian mission to the republic of the Philippines. The purpose of the deployment is to train Navy personnel in the operation and support of the ship and its 1,000-bed medical treatment facility during extended operations in a remote area. The medical team aboard the USNS Mercy during this deployment will include civilian and military personnel.
The Mercy is one of two identical hospital ships being converted for the Navy. A second ship, the USNS Comfort, will be christened in May.
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