COVID

Ten mariners, including five SIU members, recently tested positive for COVID-19 aboard the Maersk Idaho. One crew member was hospitalized but is doing well and is being discharged today. The others are quarantined aboard the ship, which is anchored off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Thankfully, those mariners have…

For precautionary reasons, the hiring hall in Houston is closing today – Friday, June 26, 2020 – until further notice. An employee who is based at the hall is being tested for COVID-19. It may take a few days to get the test results. If those results are negative, the…

As you probably know, 2020 is an election year for the SIU. Due to the pandemic, the union has relaxed a requirement to run for office. Specifically, and, as you may have seen in prior communications, the union’s executive board has approved lenience for prospective candidates who are unable to pay…

Dear SIU Members: While we’ve all been dealing with pandemic-related adjustments for months, COVID-19 has hit home especially hard within the last week or so. As you may know, several SIU members from a cargo ship recently were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, as were at least four members from…

For precautionary reasons, the hiring hall in Jersey City, New Jersey, is closing for the next two weeks, with a tentative reopening date of Monday, July 6. We will post an update before then, and may reopen sooner. The decision to close the hall was made in an abundance of…

The union’s executive board is announcing that the July membership meetings have been cancelled, for precautionary reasons. No decisions have been made concerning the August meetings. Also, for anyone who missed these recent announcements, the hiring halls have reopened, and classes will resume at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center in…

Click HERE for the one-page, PDF Paul Hall Center Health Questionnaire/Acknowledgement Form The SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, in Piney Point, Maryland, is scheduled to reopen Aug. 1. An array of safety-related modifications are being implemented. Initially, the school will offer a limited number of upgrading…

The following news release was issued by the U.S. Coast Guard on June 4. COVID-19 – Mariner Credentials Extension of Merchant Mariner Credential Endorsements, Medical Certificates and Course Approvals This MSIB updates guidance concerning mariner credentials, medical certificates and course approvals, and the action being taken by the Coast Guard…

Last week, the union announced that the hiring halls will reopen on June 15, with numerous safeguards. One of those precautions is pre-entry questionnaire that’s now available in PDF format HERE. Members should bring the completed questionnaire with them when arriving at a hall. ###

Editor's note: The questionnaire mentioned in the original post below is now available HERE, in PDF format Safety remains at the forefront as the SIU announces the reope​ning of its hiring halls beginning June 15 (a Monday). Pandemic-related modifications have been made at the halls, including extensive cleanings, installation of…