The SIU joins the rest of the nation in mourning the passing of Norman Y. Mineta, who died May 3 at the age of 90. Secretary Norman Mineta at the MTD Executive Board Meeting in 2005. Mineta, serving as U.S. Secretary of Transportation during the George W. Bush administration, addressed…
May
04
May
04
The union has learned that the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center (NMC) reportedly is denying some mariners who have submitted ROS time for renewal of Basic Training (BT). For the purpose of the recency requirement, ROS seatime counts day for day for renewal of BT, Advance Fire Fighting, Personal…
May
03
The Virginia General Assembly earlier this year passed a resolution supporting the Jones Act, America’s freight cabotage law. Text of the resolution follows. WHEREAS, Virginia's rich history of shipbuilding and maritime trade makes the Commonwealth a critical hub in the nation’s transportation system and essential in the growth of offshore…
May
03
Seafarers-contracted Great Lakes Dredge & Dock has issued the following news item, dated May 2. It's available on the company's website HERE. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation Awarded Large-Scale U.S. Offshore Wind Rock Installation Project PDF Version First offshore wind rock installation contract awarded to a U.S. company HOUSTON,…
May
02
Due to the turnaround times for merchant mariner credential (MMC) renewals, Seafarers are encouraged to start the process up to eight months before their respective documents expire. Starting the process early will not shorten the “life” of the original document. This is due to a postdating option that the Coast…
Apr
29
The Biden administration will continue working to be known not merely as pro-worker, but as the most pro-union administration in U.S. history. Vice President Kamala Harris delivered that message April 12 during a gathering at a Sheet Metal Workers facility in Philadelphia. Attendees included U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh;…
Apr
28
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently underscored his support of America’s freight cabotage law. During an April 27 hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, the secretary answered a question from U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Mississippi) about the Jones Act. Palazzo noted that during his…
Apr
27
Editor’s note: The U.S. Department of State issued this notice earlier in the year. Please note that the mailing address differs from the one that appeared in prior versions. For a PDF copy of the notice, click HERE. Updated Notice to Mariners With International Voyages Effective February 18, 2022 To…
Apr
27
The following news release was issued by the SIU-affiliated AFL-CIO on April 26. AFL-CIO Releases 2022 Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect Report In a press call, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler highlights how this year’s report shows that worker injuries and deaths are far too common. Shuler expresses…
Apr
25
The SIU-affiliated MTD welcomes back one of its charter members as an affiliate of the department. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) returns to the ranks of the MTD. ILA International President Harold J. Daggett will serve as the union’s MTD Executive Board Member. ILA International President Harold J. Daggett “It…