For precautionary reasons, SIU headquarters will be closed beginning Thursday, Dec. 23, and will reopen Monday, Jan. 3. If that schedule changes, we’ll post updates. Please note that all vacation applications that were on hand have been processed (checks have been mailed or soon will be), and any that arrive…
Dec
22
Dec
22
The hiring hall in Jersey City, New Jersey, is closed until Monday, Dec. 27, for precautionary reasons. The hall is reachable by phone during regular business hours. ###
Nov
04
A new action by the Seafarers Appeals Board (SAB) means a formal return to business as usual when it comes to the Shipping Rules. Prior SAB actions temporarily amended the Shipping Rules in order to help meet manpower obligations during peak stretches of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those actions (numbers 480…
Oct
28
Beginning Nov. 8, 2021, there are updated guidelines for flying to the United States. According to the State Department, “U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) who are eligible to travel but are not fully vaccinated will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test one (1) day before…
Oct
02
Click HERE for a PDF copy September 29, 2021 COVID-19 is here to stay. Our members aboard vessels remain in grave danger with the Delta variant on the loose. Many of our organizations have lost members to ravages of the disease; including some who have lost their lives while aboard…
Sep
28
For precautionary reasons, the hiring hall in Wilmington, California is closed until Monday, October 4. The hall is still reachable by phone during regular business hours. ###
Sep
10
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…
Sep
03
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”…
Aug
30
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…
Aug
26
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…