For the SIU, the dominant story in 2006 may have been a compilation rather than a single event. Specifically, the union throughout the year welcomed (and worked for) news of new ships joining its contracted fleet.The SIU also made other gains, including ratification of new five-year standard freightship and tanker agreements; garnering high-level, ongoing support for the U.S. Merchant Marine from Congress, the administration and the military; and working with its affiliated training center to continue providing top-notch curriculums for mariners.
Seafarers continued answering the call to help sustain U.S. troops in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, working aboard American-flag military support ships at key spots around the world.
Implementing the most effective and fair procedures for domestic port security remained a big challenge across the industry. In that vein, the SIU throughout the year and into 2007 worked at local, state and federal levels to help promote and protect mariners’ rights.
Following is a look back at some of the notable stories from 2006.
New Ships for the SIU
Taken one at a time, they were good stories. Altogether, the news of new vessels for the SIU proved quite substantial and encouraging.
In March, Horizon Lines announced an agreement in principle to charter five new U.S.-flag ships for 12-year terms from Ship Finance International Limited. The five vessels are expected to join Horizon Lines’ fleet beginning early this year. The first ship in the series, the Horizon Hunter, was christened Oct. 11.
Seafarers and SIU officials were on hand in March in Mobile, Ala. as Crowley Maritime Corporation christened the first of six new 185,000-barrel articulated tug-barge (ATB) tank vessels that the company plans to take delivery of during the next two-and-a-half years.
Amid fitting fanfare, the Pride of Hawaii—NCL America’s third ship—was christened May 20 in Los Angeles, with SIU President Michael Sacco as one of the featured speakers. The ship entered service soon thereafter, continuing a significant boost to the U.S. economy which includes job growth for mariners.
In July, Matson’s containership Maunalei was christened at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.
A month later, Seafarers-contracted U.S. Shipping Partners L.P. joined with General Dynamics NASSCO in announcing an agreement to build nine double-hulled product carrier tankers in San Diego. The contract is valued at $1 billion and includes options for five additional ships. Construction of the first tanker is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2007, with delivery slated for 2009.
That same month marked the delivery of the Alaskan Legend, the fourth Alaska Class tanker.
Crescent Towing added the state-of-the-art tug Noon Wednesday.
The SIU Great Lakes fleet added an ITB consisting of the tugboat Olive L. Moore and its barge, Lewis J. Kuber.
On Veterans’ Day, the first new OSG tanker (the Overseas Houston) was christened at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard. The vessel is the first in a 10-ship order.
Fourth Arm of Defense
Throughout the year, wherever and whenever needed, Seafarers mobilized ships in support of OIF and OEF. The list of vessels included (but was not limited to) the Cape Decision, which in April delivered cargo for the military in a high-profile mission in Poland; the Alliance New York, which transported materiel back to the U.S. from the Middle East; the Wright, activated from the Ready Reserve Force in September for a military support mission; the USNS Mendonca, which fulfilled key assignments in Kuwait and Germany; and the Cape Kennedy, which delivered morale-boosting cargo to U.S. troops overseas (namely, containers of pretzels).
Seafarers’ efforts were recognized by counterparts at the U.S. Maritime Administration and the U.S. Military Sealift Command, and not just for OIF and OEF, although in December 2005 the Cape Trinity crew was honored for its support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
MarAd and MSC also hosted ceremonies in January, March and June to thank SIU members and other mariners for their relief efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the summer of 2005. Among those commended were Seafarers from the following vessels: Cape Kennedy, Cape Knox, Cape Vincent, Diamond State, Equality State, Wright, Cape Victory, Empire State, USNS Algol, USNS Altair, USNS Bellatrix, USNS Pililaau and USNS Pollux.
Contracts and More
Speakers from the military, Congress and the administration reaffirmed their support of the U.S. maritime industry during remarks at the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department executive board meeting in February in San Diego.
The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan’s claims office fully reopened in Piney Point, Md. in early April. More than 40 people work there.
SHBP scholarships, with total values of $132,000, were awarded in May to Seafarers and SIU dependents.
That same month, the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration issued proposed regulations for implementing the long-anticipated Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and its related Merchant Mariner Qualification Credential (MMC). The SIU worked with other U.S. maritime unions in formally spelling out to the government that while we fully support strong security measures in port and aboard ship, those rules must be fair to the individual mariner. The GAO weighed in by pointing out several major concerns about how the TWIC will be put into place, and in the waning days of 2006, the industry collectively awaited issuance of the final rules.
In July, Seafarers approved new standard contracts that improve wages, maintain medical benefits and preserve jobs. Health care costs dominated the negotiations. No jobs were lost.
Members reacted very favorably as the union in August opened a new hall in Oakland, Calif., replacing the old hall in San Francisco.
On Labor Day, the union and its affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education hosted President Bush, who praised both the SIU and the school while emphatically restating his support for the Jones Act.
Members approved 11 constitutional amendments.
Progress for CIVMARS
In the Government Services Division, the union gained jobs as MSC launched the first two vessels in its new T-AKE class, the USNS Lewis and Clark and the ,USNS Sacagawea.
CIVMARS also welcomed new pay schedules for National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration mariners resulting in significant wage increases.
Throughout the year, the union tackled many difficult safety, health, habitability and quality-of-life issues for CIVMARS. The union met with much success regarding shipboard health issues, particularly aboard the USNS Spica and the Mt. Whitney. New mattresses and dressers were provided to MSC mariners, increasing the habitability and comfort aboard the vessels. The SIU with the assistance of proactive CIVMARS prompted MSC to change inadequate and unsafe hotels in Earle, N.J. and Norfolk, Va. The changes should take place in early 2007.
As a result of the deaths of two CIVMARS using man-lift equipment, the union has spent and will continue spending much time and effort to upgrade safety procedures for all CIVMARS engaged in high-risk work.
Communication is another very big issue addressed in 2006 and will continue in 2007. CIVMAR “e-grams” were introduced and widely applauded as a way to get union news to CIVMARS in between Seafarers LOG deliveries to the ship. (If you would like your address on the e-gram list, please send your e-mail address to civmarsupport@seafarers.org)
The union also is gathering information and crafting proposals to address MSC’s limitation of internet access to private e-mail servers for CIVMARS.
Additionally, the SIU has been successful in assisting CIVMARS who were subjected to adverse actions or disciplinary proceedings, working with MSC to diminish the punishment and save jobs.
All of these efforts increase the union’s costs of representation. CIVMAR dues have been increased slightly to cover rising expenses in the amount of $19.23 per pay period.
Other Important News
The AFL-CIO, to which the SIU is affiliated, announced a billion-dollar revitalization program for the Gulf Coast.
The federation announced that for the first time in six years, the number of people belonging to unions increased in 2005.
The Paul Hall Center conducted shipboard safety training on the Cape Washington and Cape Wrath in Baltimore. The school announced revised matrixes designed to help engine-department mariners advance their careers. Overall, more than 7,000 students trained at the Paul Hall Center last year.
Democrats gained majorities in the House and Senate. Newly elected leaders reflect a strong pro-maritime background.
Through its affiliation with the International Transport Workers’ Federation, the SIU assisted in getting back pay and other reparations for crews from the Panamanian-flag gambling ship Island Casino; the Taxiarchis Sierra, a Cyprus-flagged bulker; and the Trinity Sierra, also a Cyprus-flagged bulker, among others. Dollar amounts in those cases totaled several hundred-thousand dollars.
MSC welcomed Rear Adm. Robert D. Reilly Jr., who succeeded the retiring Vice Adm. David L. Brewer as commander of the agency.
The Senate on Aug. 3 confirmed Sean Connaughton as the new administrator of MarAd.
Final Departures
With heavy hearts and appreciation for all they gave to the union and the industry as a whole, the SIU said goodbye to too many friends in 2006. That list included Brother Ron Emory and two officers who perished Jan. 18 in the tragic sinking of the tug Valour off the coast of Cape Fear, N.C.; SIU Assistant Vice President Contracts Steve Judd, 45; retired UIW Assistant Vice President Robert O’Keefe, 76; retired Port Representative Edward Smith, 79; Paul Hall Center Instructor Larry Malone, 65; retired Paul Hall Center official Bill Saul, 80, an industry pioneer; retired NMU Secretary-Treasurer Thomas Martinez, 88; retired Vice President Contracts Red Campbell, 84; and retired Seafarers Vacation Fund employee Louis Bush, 88.
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