The venue and format were new, but the aim of the Maritime Trades Department (MTD) Executive Board remained familiar when the group convened April 25 at AFL-CIO headquarters.
Through a series of approved statements and input from guest speakers, the board focused on promoting all segments of American maritime while protecting the jobs of rank-and-file members of MTD affiliate unions, including the SIU.
In years past, the board’s winter meeting often took place in Florida as a two-day gathering. This year’s session happened in the nation’s capital (a little later on the calendar) and wrapped up in a single day, as planned.
SIU President David Heindel also serves as president of the MTD, a constitutional department of the AFL-CIO. The MTD includes 25 affiliates and 21 port maritime councils across the country that team up for grassroots action and community service.
Heindel chaired the meeting and was assisted by MTD Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mark Clements.
In order of appearance, the board heard from the following speakers: AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond; Gwee Guo Duan, assistant general secretary of the Singapore Maritime Officers Union; Adam Tindall-Schlicht, administrator of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; Michael Wessel, commissioner on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission; AFL-CIO Director of Advocacy Jody Calemine; Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA) Secretary-Treasurer Roland “Rex” Rexha; and popular YouTube personality Dr. Sal Mercogliano. U.S. Transportation Command commanding officer Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost addressed the board via a prerecorded video.
The SIU had a strong presence at the meeting. In addition to Heindel, attendees included Executive Vice President Augie Tellez, Secretary-Treasurer Tom Orzechowski, Vice Presidents George Tricker, Joseph Soresi, Nicholas Celona and Bryan Powell, Assistant Vice Presidents Kris Hopkins and Amancio Crespo, and Port Agents Mario Torrey, John Hoskins and Hazel Galbiso.
In his opening remarks, Heindel paid tribute to his predecessor, the late SIU/MTD President Michael Sacco, who passed away late last year.
“Mike was many things, but when it came to business, he ultimately was a pragmatist,” Heindel stated. “He believed in getting the job done the right way, without taking shortcuts, and he kept us moving forward at all times.”
Heindel also touched on progress made by various port councils; the U.S. Merchant Marine’s role in assisting with humanitarian aid in Gaza; the shipping crisis in the Red Sea; the recent, tragic accident in Baltimore involving the Key Bridge; the trade petition spearheaded by the Steelworkers that involves both China and domestic shipbuilding; and more.
Redmond welcomed board members and guests to the building. He thanked the MTD for its support of his and AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler’s administration and emphasized the importance of this year’s elections.
Duan – accompanied by Chen Chuanyi, executive secretary of the Singapore Organization of Seamen – updated the board on what mariners from the Dali (the ship that struck the Key Bridge) have been facing since the accident. Those two unions represent the officers and crew. Duan and Chuanyi met with them aboard the ship the day before the meeting; Duan was candid in describing how the mariners truly appreciate the international solidarity they’ve received, including from the MTD, but how they’re also experiencing a lot of stress.
Tindall-Schlicht reviewed his organization’s latest activities, while Wessel provided details about the petition aimed at holding China accountable for unfair trading practices.
In the afternoon session, Van Ovost (via video) emphasized the partnership between the military and the commercial maritime industry. Calemine, a lifelong union advocate, described the initial experiences in his new job (he recently replaced longtime stalwart Bill Samuel), while Rexha explained how his union emerged victorious after a 13-year battle to secure a new contract for mariners aboard Staten Island Ferry vessels. Mercogliano wrapped up the proceedings by sharing how he has grown his maritime-themed YouTube channel to reach a wide audience, and encouraged others to also utilize social media to promote their respective organizations and the industry as a whole.
The meeting also included a detailed report from Clements on various port council activities – and the formal welcoming of the MTD’s newest affiliate, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.
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