Meeting in convention Sept. 13-14 in Piney Point, Md., delegates representing the dozen affiliated organizations of the Seafarers International Union of North America (SIUNA) reviewed accomplishments and lessons learned from the past five years and crafted strategies to keep fighting for working families.
Featuring the theme “Mapping Out a Brighter Future,” the SIUNA’s 25th convention took place at the Seafarers-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, which is in its 40th year of operation. During the quinquennial gathering, delegates called for actions to protect workers’ rights to join unions; strengthen the U.S.- and Canadian-flag maritime fleets; back the work of the International Transport Workers’ Federation along with that of other individual ITF affiliates; provide good, affordable health care for all Americans; and support America’s troops wherever they serve. They also passed resolutions urging labor federation solidarity; continued utilization of Union Plus programs; grassroots political action; and specifically the enactment of the Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act.
Approximately 250 delegates and guests attended the convention. Addressing the gathering were (in order): Valerie Lilja, Union Plus representative; Ernie Grecco, president, Metropolitan Baltimore AFL-CIO; Paddy Crumlin, national secretary, Maritime Union of Australia; Bill Van Loo, secretary-treasurer, Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association; Dick Myers, representing the office of U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.); Capt. Glen Banks, international secretary-treasurer, International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots; John Sweeney, AFL-CIO president; Capt. David Stalfort, commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center; U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.); Tom Buffenbarger, president, International Association of Machinists; Sean Connaughton, U.S. maritime administrator; Fred Mason, president, Maryland and D.C. AFL-CIO; Steve Cotton, International Transport Workers’ Federation maritime coordinator and secretary of the ITF Special Seafarers’ Department; Jacqueline Smith, president, Norwegian Seafarers’ Union; and Rear Adm. Robert Reilly Jr., commander, U.S. Military Sealift Command.
Additionally, SIUNA affiliates reported on their recent activities, and delegates elected by acclamation President Michael Sacco and Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel. Twenty vice presidents also were chosen at the convention. They are Tom Bethel, Nick Celona, Dean Corgey, Jorge Cruz, Ed Cummings, Michel Desjardins, Orlando Diaz, Roman Gralewicz, Theresa Hoinsky, René Lioeanjie, Gunnar Lundeberg, Kermett Mangram, Nick Marrone, Tom Orzechowski, Herb Perez, Anthony Poplawski, Joseph Soresi, John Spadaro, Augie Tellez and Donna Walsh.
Topics on the agenda included the Employee Free Choice Act, port and shipboard security, the war against terrorism, health care, cabotage laws and the U.S. Maritime Security Program.
President Sacco during his opening remarks listed some of the challenges faced by maritime labor and unions as a whole, but also cited a few of the key accomplishments spurred at least in part by SIUNA affiliates since the prior convention in 2002.
“SIUNA unions helped secure the renewal and expansion of the U.S. Maritime Security Program, which provides thousands of jobs for our members,” he pointed out. “Our unions also helped support efforts that have resulted in construction of new American-flag commercial ships in Philadelphia and San Diego—tankers for OSG and U.S. Shipping, and containerships for Matson. We’ve picked up new ships with Horizon Lines, PASHA and TOTE, and we’ve gained new ATBs with Crowley.
“We’ve continued to get support for the Jones Act from Congress and the administration,” he continued, “which as you know is also vital to many of our unions.”
Several guest speakers lauded the school on its anniversary, and following the convention’s first session, county officials presented a proclamation honoring the Paul Hall Center and the union.
Sacco pointed out, “One of the keys to the school’s success is that it has always changed with the times. It has always changed to meet the needs of our members and our companies. I believe every one of the unions in the SIUNA has to be guided by that same philosophy.... We can be proud of our history. We can celebrate traditions. But we have to remain on the cutting edge in order to survive.”
The SIUNA was chartered in 1938. It consists of 12 autonomous affiliate unions, including the Seafarers International Union, Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU.
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