The following news release was issued by MARAD on August 19. U.S. Department of Transportation Announces a New Marine Highway Route and Six Marine Highway Designations The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today announced the designation of six new Marine Highway Projects and a new Marine Highway Route as part of the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP). The AMHP encourages the use of…
Aug
19
Aug
19
Mariners aboard the SIU-crewed Golden State (Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning) recently saved two individuals who’d been adrift for four days with limited food and water –…
Aug
18
The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following announcement earlier this week. It's available on the DOJ website HERE. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, August 16, 2021 Virginia Beach Man Sentenced for Fraud Scheme Undermining Maritime Safety NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced today to 45 months in…
Aug
13
The following notice was issued by the AFL-CIO on August 10, and includes information on how to donate to the Trumka Family Trustee Scholarship, which his family has requested in lieu of flowers. FROM: AFL-CIO Office of the President In the wake of President Trumka’s passing, we have heard from so…
Aug
13
Dear Pensioner, This notice is to inform you about a recent action taken by the trustees of the Seafarers Pension Plan which could benefit you. The pension plan’s records indicate that you are receiving a monthly pension benefit and that you may be eligible to take advantage of this recent…
Aug
09
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)…
Aug
05
The labor movement has lost a tremendous leader, and I have lost a great friend. Rich and I worked together for decades, going back to the 1970s, when we were involved in labor disputes in Missouri, Kentucky and Illinois. Throughout his entire career, no one worked harder for America’s working…
Aug
02
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…
Aug
01
Former Port Agent Crespo is Union’s Newest Assistant VP The union’s executive board has announced the appointments of two longtime officials to new positions following the recent retirement of SIU Vice President Government Services Kate Hunt. Nicholas Celona succeeds Hunt as vice president, while Amancio Crespo fills Celona’s former spot…
Aug
01
The maritime industry proved a natural fit for Kathleen “Kate” Hunt, but that doesn’t mean her career was easy. She played pioneering roles along the way, including service as the first female patrolman for the National Maritime Union (NMU) and the first female member of the SIU executive board. She…