SIU members last month demonstrated their overwhelming support for the new standard freightship and tanker agreements, ratifying the five-year pacts during meetings at the union halls and aboard ship.Voting continued as this edition of the Seafarers LOG went to press in late July, but based on tallies from 132 SIU-crewed ships and from membership meetings and special meetings conducted at the halls, the standard contacts clearly were headed for ratification. Approximately 98 percent of the votes were in favor of the agreements.
Despite negotiations that in many ways were more difficult than usual, the SIU bargaining team—led by Executive Vice President Augie Tellez and Vice President Contracts George Tricker—secured contracts that not only call for wage increases in each year of the pacts, but also maintain health benefits at the current Core Plus level. The latter issue consumed much of the negotiations—not surprising when one considers the staggering cost of health care nowadays.
Retroactive to June 16, 2006 and running through June 15, 2011, the contracts include numerous other gains, including an amendment to the Shipping Rules that changes tours of duty for seamen with class “A” seniority employed above an entry rating from 22 months to 12 months.
Overall, in spite of repeated demands from the companies for various concessions, the SIU didn’t lose a single job under the new agreements – and in fact took no losses in any category.
“I’m very pleased with it,” said Chief Steward John Hale when asked his opinion of the new contracts. “The wage increases are outstanding.”
AB Zinnonnon Jackson stated, “With the economy being in the state it’s in, our bargaining committee did a marvelous job in making the necessary changes to benefit the security of all members and their families.”
Recertified Bosun Aubrey Davis pointed to the modification of the old “22-month rule” as a highlight of the new pacts. “That is a worthwhile change and it’s going to work out,” he observed, noting that he and many other members had requested such action.
Speaking of the contracts as a whole, OMU Dennis Swords noted, “I’m very pleased. Overall there are many good points and it’s all positive news.”
Electrician Prescilo Zuniga described the new agreements as “good, helpful for us Seafarers, especially the annual (wage) increases.”
Wiper Gilbert Regalado took a broad view of the contracts, noting that “the sacrifices that have been made in years past” are now paying off as the union continues building upon earlier, steadily accumulated gains. “I also really like that so many ships manned by the union are under the standard contracts,” he added.
Bosun David Jones viewed the agreements as “an improvement, considering the wage increases and everything compared to some of the other industries out there—even some (traditionally) union industries like the auto industry. The contract we got this time is good for us, plus we’re maintaining our health care coverage whereas other industries are losing theirs.”
AB Harry Champagne said the standard contracts are “decent overall” and fair agreements for all concerned.
Chief Steward Donna Taylor applauded the new 12-month rule, declaring, “It gives more people a chance to get these jobs.” She also said, “The pay increases are very reasonable.”
Tricker said the union’s “greatest challenge during the course of the negotiations was to secure unprecedented monetary increases to the funding of the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan in order to continue offering benefits at the current Core Plus level while still providing increases in wages and all wage-related items.”
Following are highlights of the new agreements:
- Wages and Overtime. Effective July 1 in each year of the contract, wages and overtime are increased as follows: 2 percent in 2006; 3 percent in 2007; 3 percent in 2008; 4 percent in 2009; and 4 percent in 2010, for a total of 16 percent over the life of the contract.
- Shipping Rules. Responding to numerous recommendations received from the membership, the union successfully amended the Shipping Rules by changing tours of duty for seamen with class A seniority employed above an entry rating from 22 months to 12 months.
A labor-management committee has been created to identify and resolve crew shore-leave issues.Seafarers being relieved shall register at a port in the continental United States, Puerto Rico, Hawaii or Guam within 72 hours after being relieved, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. (Hawaii and Guam are new additions to this rule.)
Mariners who hold permanent status aboard commercial vessels having the right to relief must confirm their intent to reclaim their position by notifying the hiring hall dispatcher at least 72 hours prior to the vessel’s arrival. This may be done by phone (a change from past practice). After validating a permanent seaman’s credentials in accordance with Rule 2 C. (2.) the hiring hall shall ship the seaman and advise the company to arrange transportation from either the seaman’s domestic home of record (excluding Guam) or the hiring hall from which he is registered (seaman’s choice).
Mariners with either A or B seniority may extend their contractual tour of duty when mutually agreed between the union and the company.
Minimum time off for all ratings shall change from 30 days to 45 days.
Shipping registration cards’ period of validity for mariners accepting the balance of a relief assignment (if less than 30 days) shall be extended by the number of days employed.
- Holidays. In order to conform with the rest of the maritime industry and effectively meet the SIU’s contractual obligations, Paul Hall’s birthday will be replaced by Columbus Day as a contractual holiday.
- Work Rules and Miscellaneous. Based on recommendations from the membership, vessels with automated payroll systems may now pay off at sea. The company is required to notify the union’s manpower office each time a vessel will be in a U.S. port after a payoff at sea or when the vessel will be paying off in a U.S. port. (This will not change the servicing of vessels by SIU port representatives.)
The ship’s committee’s duties shall be expanded to expedite and facilitate the crew’s union business.
Maintenance and cure will be increased from the current rate of $8 per day to $16 per day.
Reimbursement for launch service will be increased from $10 to $25 per round trip, per man carried once every 24 hours.
Reimbursement for loss of clothing will be increased from $500 to $1,000.
Each crew member is required to possess a sufficient supply of needed medication for the duration of his shipboard assignment. Obtaining maintenance medication is the mariner’s responsibility.
Seamen shall be required to remain on board until properly relieved, unless given written authorization to depart by the captain.
In order to improve the preparation and serving of food and eliminate waste on all SIU-contracted vessels, the procedures contained in the “Three Man Steward Department Guide” shall be used for guidance. A committee of recertified stewards will review and update the guide.
In ports that are located fairly close to one another, such as (but not limited to) New York to Philadelphia, Seattle to Longview, Jacksonville to Charleston, or New Orleans to Baton Rouge (in either direction), bus or rail transportation may be used as mutually agreed to by the union and the company.
If payment of overtime is delayed by the company beyond 72 hours (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays or holidays) after signing off articles, additional compensation shall be paid at the rate of $25.
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