The latest annual report on union membership from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has been published. Here are some reactions from (in order) the Economic Policy Institute, the AFL-CIO, and the Department of Professional Employees. Unionization rates rose in 2020 because a smaller share of union workers lost their…
Jan
22
Jan
21
The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued the following news item: U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Biden Appointees Ready to Work on Behalf of the American People Thursday, January 21, 2021 WASHINGTON – Today, the Biden Administration announced key members of its U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) leadership, many of…
Jan
21
The coalition USA Maritime, to which the SIU is affiliated, sent the following letter on Jan. 20. The Honorable Maria Cantwell, Chair Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Roger Wicker, Ranking Member Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation United States Senate Washington,…
Jan
21
The AFL-CIO, to which the SIU is affiliated, issued the following news item on Jan. 20: Robb Removal First Step Toward Giving Workers a Fair Shot Statement from AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on the removal of National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Peter Robb: In his first hours in…
Jan
20
The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center recently circulated multiple Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB) that are relevant to many SIU members. Updates from those bulletins follow. TWIC Extension As laid out in Maritime Safety Information Bulletin number 13-20, “For mariners already holding a Merchant Marine Credential (MMC), if their…
Jan
19
The following news release was issued by the Maritime Administration on January 19. Maritime Administration Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity for America’s Small Shipyard Grant Program Grants will provide more than $19 million in funding Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced the availability of $19.6 million…
Jan
19
On January 8, President-elect Joe Biden chose Boston Mayor and former president of the Laborers' Union Local 223 Marty Walsh as his U.S. Labor Secretary. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in…
Jan
18
U.S. Maritime Alert 2021-002A Threat Type: Upcoming Mariner Travel Requirements Change Geographic Area: Worldwide (for all air passengers entering the United States) Retransmittal of State Department COVID-19 Traveler Information dated January 12, 2021: “Effective January 26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all air passengers arriving…
Jan
14
General Dynamics NASSCO, a union shipyard, has issued the following news item. The vessel will be crewed by members of the SIU Government Services Division. The original release on NASSCO's website -- available HERE -- includes a photo gallery. General Dynamics NASSCO Launches First Ship in the T-AO Fleet Oiler…
Jan
13
The following letter, dated January 8 and signed by eight presidents of U.S. seagoing labor unions, including SIU President Michael Sacco, was sent to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Chairman of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Dr. Jose Romero. U.S. seagoing labor: Access…