Outlining the critical role that the American maritime industry has played in the war against terror and praising the support that U.S. civilian mariners have given the military’s humanitarian relief efforts in areas like Southeast Asia, a high-ranking representative of the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) used the Maritime Trades Department’s 2005 convention in Chicago to thank maritime labor for its hard work, professionalism and “can-do” spirit.Noting that MSC is part of the military responsible for global waterborne logistics, Capt. Michael Seifert, MSC’s chief of staff, praised maritime labor and predicted substantial job growth for unionized civilian mariners over the next few years.
Specifically mentioning SIU President Michael Sacco, MEBA President Ron Davis, MM&P President Tim Brown, AMO President Michael McKay and ILA President John Bowers by name, Seifert said, “When you look at the MSC, you’re looking at America’s unions. That is our strength, and that is why you are part of the national defense team.
“Without the mariners, boilermakers, sheet metal workers, shipping company clerks, longshoremen, truck drivers and all the other highly skilled workers who bring the industry to life, the MSC couldn’t complete our mission.”
Seifert explained that MSC is the largest single employer of civilian American mariners.
Since September 2001, U.S. civilian mariners have delivered 77 million square feet of vehicles, helicopters, supplies and munitions to U.S. forces in the Middle East.
Seifert was impressed with the way that U.S. civilian mariners handled themselves during the tsunami relief efforts. “We supplied medical care and services, fresh water and a can-do volunteer attitude that helped the victims in the area begin to rebuild their homes, businesses, hospitals and roads,” he said.
Outlining a number of new missions and projects that MSC will be involved in, including operating Navy salvage ships, Seifert predicted that the agency will see significant growth. “In fact, by 2009 our afloat civil service workforce alone will grow by 55 percent,” he observed. “That’s more than 1,200 new jobs that will be filled by men and women represented by the Maritime Trades Department.”
Seifert relayed that the U.S. military is looking into ways of making greater use of prepositioned MSC vessels. Unlike supplies stored at foreign land-based facilities, prepositioned MSC ships give the military immediate access “without (the need for) a permission slip,” he said.
He concluded, “The bottom line here is we’re committed to providing more jobs for American maritime workers. We are growing, and we want you to grow along with us. The future of MSC and our Maritime Trades partners is bright. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient America, one that can respond to any crisis or contingency and stay strong, committed and ready.
“Every time we’re told ‘Well done’ by anyone, from the chief of naval operations, to the secretary of the Navy, secretary of Defense or even the president, it’s a tribute to you at the Maritime Trades Department as well.”
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