While it’s normal to hear from supportive guest speakers at the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department executive board meetings, I found the most recent sessions exceptionally encouraging. Talk about good news!
Captain Robert Johnston, senior vice president of SIU-contracted Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG), announced that his company is strongly looking into investing in 17 new U.S.-flag ships that would sail in the Jones Act trades. OSG already is scheduled to operate 10 other new ships —the tankers being built at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.
General Norton Schwartz, the commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, talked in detail about the U.S. Merchant Marine’s outstanding performance in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He also emphasized the excellent cooperation that exists between our industry and the military, and declared his full support for U.S. mariners.
Vice Admiral David Brewer, who served as commander of the U.S. Military Sealift Command until his recent retirement, offered similarly powerful and enthusiastic backing for the U.S. Merchant Marine. He said that we have been nothing short of indispensable in helping America fight the war on terrorism.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta discussed another key role filled by U.S. mariners. Namely, supporting hurricane relief efforts along the Gulf Coast for victims of Katrina and Rita. Secretary Mineta couldn’t have been more appreciative or more genuine in commending the U.S.-flag industry.
Of course, we were very fortunate to hear from other prominent speakers from Congress, the administration and the labor movement who also discussed not only the U.S. Merchant Marine but also various issues affecting all working families. When you put it all together, it’s obvious that the SIU and the U.S. maritime industry as a whole have done an outstanding job—and we’re looking at a bright, bright future.
I’m especially glad that 20 or so rank-and-file SIU members, including members from our Government Services Division, attended the meetings. They heard for themselves the great impression that the MTD unions have made on our military leaders and elected representatives. They got a firsthand look at how grassroots campaigns, combined with their own outstanding work aboard ship, have helped revitalize an industry that some people never believed would flourish again.
I’ve always been confident about what lies ahead anyway, but it was impossible to leave those meetings without feeling even more optimistic. We’ve come a long way and we have a lot to look forward to. As I said to the executive board, sometimes it may take longer than others to accomplish our goals, but there is no doubt that we ultimately will come out on top.
Tragic Loss
About a week after the meetings, we suffered a huge loss when SIU Assistant Vice President Steve Judd died in an accident. For those of you who knew Steve, you already understand that we could fill this whole newspaper with kind words about him and it still wouldn’t be enough. Steve was exceptional. He had such a bright future, and that’s one reason why his death hit us so hard.
Steve had a lot of things going for him, but to me nothing stood out more than how hard he worked. He was totally, absolutely committed to this union and this membership. He didn’t take shortcuts. He never gave up and he never complained.
We will move forward with heavy hearts—but we will move forward. I think it’s completely true to say that Steve Judd would have wanted nothing less than for us to continue giving our all for the betterment of the Seafarers International Union. He was the kind of guy who always put the union—our team, our SIU family—ahead of individual interests.
We can honor his memory by doing the same.
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