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
03
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…
Jan
31
Effective immediately, due to changing circumstances and the widely increased availability of COVID tests, the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education will not require booster shots in order for students (upgraders and apprentices) to attend classes. The school still requires that students be vaccinated either with the…
Jan
27
The following news release was issued by SIU-contracted American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. (ARC) ARC Adds M/Vs ARC Commitment & ARC Defender to the U.S.-Flag Fleet American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. (ARC) recently completed the reflagging of two new ships to the U.S.-flag fleet – M/Vs ARC Commitment…
Jan
25
The following news item was issued by the State Department earlier this month. UPDATED NOTICE TO MARINERS WITH INTERNATIONAL VOYAGESEffective January 10, 2022 To better serve mariners during this time we are updating our temporary provisions. These provisions are subject to change once operations are on a more normal footing.…
Jan
24
The U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center issued the following announcement on Jan. 24: Top Five Awaiting Information Reasons for Merchant Mariner Credential Applications in 2021 The National Maritime Center (NMC) receives more than 50,000 applications annually from mariners applying for Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs). On average, more than 50…
Jan
24
Feb. 14 update: Both Walgreens and Kinney Drugs have been added to the preferred COVID-19 test kit network providing point-of-sale (POS) adjudication for members with a $0 copay. These pharmacies are in addition to those communicated previously. Please keep in mind our direct to consumer option will continue to be…
Jan
20
From the AFL-CIO, to which the SIU is affiliated: (Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2022)—Today’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) annual report on union membership makes it clear that American labor laws are unquestionably broken. While the report indicates a 0.5% drop in union membership from 2020–2021, the data is not…