COVID

The presidents of three maritime unions, including SIU President Michael Sacco, recently sent the following communication to the commanding officer of the U.S. Military Sealift Command. For a PDF copy of the letter, click HERE. Dear Admiral Wettlaufer: We are writing to you today to communicate our ongoing and increasingly…

Editor's note: The following message from SIU President Michael Sacco concerns the recent passing of a rank-and-file Seafarer. Dear SIU Brothers and Sisters: On behalf of the union’s executive board, I extend our deepest and most sincere sympathies to the family, friends and shipmates of our fallen brother, GUDE Michael…

The hiring hall in Algonac, Michigan, will reopen tomorrow morning, July 28, 2020. The hall had been closed for one day for precautionary reasons. ###

The hiring hall in Houston will reopen Wednesday morning, July 22. Members can still conduct business at the hall by phone, fax and email. Please remember that anyone visiting the hall must complete the pre-entry questionnaire that’s available in PDF form HERE The hall is located at 625 N. York…

The hiring hall in Wilmington, California, will reopen on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. The hall is located at 510 N. Broad Avenue. It has been closed since July 2 for precautionary reasons. ###

The following message, dated July 10, 2020, is signed by the presidents of six maritime unions, including SIU President Michael Sacco, and by SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez. For a PDF copy, click HERE MESSAGE FROM MARITIME LABOR It has become increasingly apparent the COVID-19 crisis is not going…

The Houston hiring hall had been scheduled to reopen on Monday, July 13, but instead will remain closed until further notice, for precautionary reasons. We’ll post an update as soon as possible. The hall is still reachable by phone. ###

The U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center posted the following news item on July 8, 2020. It's available on the agency's website HERE Regional Examination Center Closure Update Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Regional Examination Centers (RECs) and Monitoring Units (MUs) closed to the public on March 19, 2020.…

Note: There has been a delay in reopening the Houston hall. It is closed until further notice, for precautionary reasons. The original post below is from July 8. The decision to postpone reopening was made July 9. A few of the hiring halls recently closed to walk-ins for precautionary reasons.…

The Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, has posted the following news item: Acknowledging the work done collectively by maritime unions, companies, ports, shipyards, military and government, U.S. Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby saluted the work of the U.S.-flag maritime industry to keep commerce moving during the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Buzby addressed the…