COVID

The recent death of an unvaccinated SIU member from COVID-19 and the cancellation of a turbo activation involving a different SIU-crewed vessel due to a coronavirus outbreak have underscored the importance of vaccinations. As we’ve widely reported, there’s an October 1 COVID-19 vaccine mandate for crew members sailing aboard the…

The following Marine Safety Information Bulletin was issued by the U.S. Coast Guard on September 2. COVID-19 Safety Requirements in the Maritime Transportation System: Change-3 The President issued Executive Order (13998), Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel requiring masks be worn on all “public maritime vessels, including ferries”…

The union and the American Maritime Association, in accordance with a recently announced arbitration decision, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for implementing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, effective October 1, 2021. The arbitrator’s decision was reported by the SIU HERE A related policy for the hiring halls, union headquarters…

The following notice was issued by the U.S. State Department. UPDATED NOTICE TO MARINERS WITH INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES Effective August 25, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic continues to hamper Passport Services. To better serve mariners during this time we are updating our temporary provisions. These provisions are subject to change once operations…

From the U.S. Department of Defense: Secretary of Defense Austin Issues Guidance for Mandatory Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination of Department of Defense Service Members Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III issued a memorandum for Mandatory Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination of Department of Defense Service Members. The memo directs…

Effective October 1, 2021, anyone entering a Seafarers hiring hall must provide either proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19; or a completed, signed exemption form along with a negative test result from within the last 48 hours. This policy was adopted by the trustees of the Seafarers Joint Employment…

From the FDA: Approval Signifies Key Achievement for Public Health For Immediate Release: August 23, 2021 Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of…

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Aug. 9 issued the following “memorandum for all Department of Defense employees.” It's available on the DOD website HERE. As many of you know, President Biden asked me to consider how and when we might add the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)…

An arbitrator on July 30 ruled in favor of the American Maritime Association’s (AMA) insistence that they can require all mariners sailing aboard the companies’ respective vessels be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The SIU challenged the AMA’s mandate by demanding expedited arbitration, primarily because they unilaterally imposed it rather than…

Please see the flyer posted below (PDF version available HERE) for information on COVID-19 vaccination availability at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.