I had the honor and privilege of working closely with John Sweeney during his leadership of the AFL-CIO. Time and again over the many years of our friendship, I saw how lifting up the rights, voices, and dignity of working Americans was more than a job to him. It was…
Feb
03
Feb
02
The Legendary Career and Spiritual Calling of John Sweeney February 1, 2021 Statement from AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on the passing of AFL-CIO President Emeritus John Sweeney: John Sweeney was a legend, plain and simple. He was guided into unionism by his Catholic faith, and not a single day passed…
Jan
29
Seafarers are asked to consider participating in an anonymous survey (“Mariner Mental Health Needs during COVID-19”) conducted by the University of Washington. As noted on the landing page: “Results from this survey will be used by federal agencies, vessel owners/operators, mariner unions, maritime training institutions, seafarer welfare organizations and MTS…
Jan
28
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted the following information. For a PDF version, click HERE. To access the COVID-19 section of the CDC website, click HERE You can help stop the pandemic by getting a COVID-19 vaccine. To stop this pandemic, we need to use all…
Jan
26
The Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, has posted the following news item. The SIU is an MTD affiliate; SIU President Michael Sacco also serves as MTD president. PRESIDENT BIDEN SPECIFIES JONES ACT IN ‘BUY AMERICAN’ EXECUTIVE ORDER Only in office for six days, President Joe Biden confirmed his career-long support for…
Jan
26
From the International Transport Workers' Federation, to which the SIU is affiliated. (Click HERE to access the release on the ITF website.) ITF PRESS RELEASE Neptune Declaration resets expectation, accountability on maritime industry to act to end crew change crisis 26 January 2021 A new global pledge signed by over…
Jan
25
The following news release was issued by the American Maritime Partnership on January 25. American Maritime Leaders Applaud Biden Administration for Prioritizing Support of the Jones Act in “Buy American” Executive Order Jones Act Supports 650,000 American Jobs Throughout Every State & Territory WASHINGTON – The American Maritime Partnership (AMP),…
Jan
25
The White House has posted the following news item, available on their website HERE The statement includes this paragraph about America's freight cabotage law: "Reiterates the President’s strong support for the Jones Act. The President will continue to be a strong advocate for the Jones Act and its mandate that…
Jan
22
The hiring hall in Tacoma, Washington, is closed until further notice due to a nearby water-main break. We'll post an update ASAP. ###
Jan
22
From the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO: Appearing before the Senate Commerce Committee on January 21, U.S. Transportation Secretary Designee Pete Buttigieg stated, “Yes, I share your support for the Jones Act.” The Biden-appointee was responding to a question from Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) regarding the nation’s freight cabotage law. “Sometimes…