The Honorable Elaine Chao, U.S. Secretary of Labor, recently lauded the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center and the union for the quality-of-life upgrades each over the years has afforded individuals preparing for seafaring careers.The labor secretary gave the tributes Aug. 30 during remarks to the officers, delegates and rank-and-file members who were in attendance during the SIU-affiliated United Industrial Workers’ 12th quadrennial convention in Piney Point, Md.
“It has been three years since the last time I visited Piney Point,” Chao told those in attendance, “and let me tell you, you have a first-rate training center, and it keeps getting better.”
Making reference to the SIU trainees who were in attendance at the convention, the labor secretary offered, “It is so exciting to see these soon-to-be-graduates with such big smiles on their faces. That’s because they know that they’re in a great union and have great futures ahead of them.
“I’ve been told that more than 10,000 workers have been trained since my last visit alone. And these workers are being placed in good-paying jobs with benefits. That is great news!”
Secretary Chao said that it was fitting that the training center is named after Paul Hall. In addition to noting that Paul Hall founded the UIW and that he was inducted into the Department of Labor Hall of Fame in 2003, she pointed out that Hall fought for a better life for seafarers, a strengthened U.S. Merchant Marine, a stronger labor movement and better opportunities for young people and people of color.
“And that legacy continues today with President (Michael) Sacco,” she said. “President Sacco has focused on a better life for all of his members and he has also taken a special interest in helping young people who have had a difficult start in life. He encourages them and provides them with not only the skills of the trade, but also the soft skills, which are so important for success in the workplace, so they can better themselves and the lives of their families.
“That is a truly laudable and remarkable endeavor,” she continued. “And so I commend President Sacco, the Seafarers Union and the UIW for providing opportunities for those who need it most.”
Secretary Chao stated that earlier this year—during the launch of the Pride of America cruise ship in New York City—she had an opportunity to meet some of the well-trained SIU members, all products of the Paul Hall Center.
“As you know, this is the first brand-new U.S.-flagged passenger ship in nearly 50 years,” the secretary said. “So when her sister ship, the Pride of Hawaii, joins her in 2006, a total of three U.S.-flagged cruise ships will cruise Hawaii. And as you heard me say during the launching ceremony of the Pride of America, together these three ships will create 20,000 American jobs, of which 3,000-4,000 will be seafarers’ jobs. I want to say those jobs came about because of the leadership, the partnership and the determination of your president to secure these jobs for your members.”
Turning her attention to homeland security, Secretary Chao reminded her audience of the horrible events of 9-11. “You held your last convention on September 11, 2001,” she said. “You have commemorated the innocent people who lost their lives four years ago with a special tribute—‘UIW Remembers.’ While many of you watched these developments unravel on television, your brothers and sisters in the Seafarers International Union were on the job. The Seafarers helped evacuate more than 160,000 people from Lower Manhattan and return them to their loved ones.
“You should be so proud of the courageous chapter in our nation’s history that you and your brothers and sisters wrote on that pivotal day,” Secretary Chao said. “Those families—and America—will never forget what the Seafarers did on that day.”
Recognizing the fashion in which Seafarers always have delivered the goods for our country, especially during time of conflict, the labor secretary said, “Since the mobilization for the war against terror began, the Seafarers have been there for our country—as they have been throughout our nation’s history. They, and members of the UIW, have served in the armed forces, reserves or National Guard. Others are crewing Ready Reserve vessels, delivering munitions, vehicles and rations wherever they are needed.
“It is because of the service of your brothers and sisters in the Seafarers International Union that America sustains the strongest military force the world has ever known,” Secretary Chao concluded. “We are grateful for those sacrifices so that we may enjoy our freedom here and abroad.”
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