Dear Governor Bryan: On behalf of the Seafarers International Union (SIU), which has maintained a strong presence in the U.S. Virgin Islands for more than a half-century, we are perplexed by your recently announced partnership with a for-profit maritime school that charges $22,000 per year for tuition. The SIU –…
Feb
21
Feb
15
The U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center issued the following notice on Feb. 14: Top Medical Certificate Awaiting Information Reasons in 2021. The National Maritime Center (NMC) receives more than 50,000 applications annually from U.S. Merchant Mariners applying for medical certificates. On average, over 10 percent of those applications are…
Feb
14
U.S. MARITIME ADVISORY 2022-002Threat Type: Risks Due to Regional TensionsGeographic Area: Black Sea and Sea of Azov References: U.S. Maritime Advisory 2021-010Issue: Regional tensions and increased naval activity in the above listed geographic areas could pose a risk to U.S. flagged commercial vessels.Guidance: U.S. flagged commercial vessels operating in the…
Feb
09
The Seafarers-affiliated American Maritime Partnership (AMP) issued the following news release on February 9. American Maritime Partnership Announces New Leadership Team The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the domestic maritime industry, today announced the election of new leadership for the organization. Ku’uhaku Park takes the helm as president,…
Feb
08
From the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, to which the SIU is affiliated: Showing once again that the Biden Administration wants to be recognized as the most union- and worker-friendly in history, the White House released its Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment report on February 7. The 43-page document…
Feb
08
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), to which the SIU is affiliated, has teamed with World Maritime University in launching an anonymous, global survey about the maritime industry’s future. SIU members are encouraged to participate. In announcing the survey, the organizations noted, “The maritime sector will look radically different in…
Feb
03
On Feb. 1, U.S. Rep. Kaiali'i Kahele (D-Hawaii) made the following speech on the floor of the House of Representatives concerning the Seafarers-crewed Horizon Reliance: "Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the men and women of the crew of the U.S Flag commercial ship Horizon Reliance, sailing out of…
Feb
02
Comprehensive Health Services (CHS) has informed both the union and the Seafarers Plans that the company recently “was the target of a cyber intrusion” that may have involved current and former SIU members’ personal information. CHS is mailing a letter to all potentially affected Seafarers. Key points from that letter…
Feb
01
From the AFL-CIO's Maritime Trades Department, to which the SIU is affiliated: Maritime Labor is resolute in its opposition to a proposed second registry that would allow the U.S. Virgin Islands to operate a flag-of-convenience scam. The Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO stands in solidarity with the American Maritime Officers; the…
Feb
01
As of Tuesday morning, Feb. 1, the 800 number for the various Seafarers Plans is experiencing technical difficulties. Calls to that number are automatically being rerouted to the headquarters switchboard and to various departments. We are experiencing a high call volume and ask for your patience if it takes a…