Seafarers Log
Bipartisan Backing in D.C. Newer members of the SIU may not know that our headquarters operations weren’t always based in Maryland. For a little longer than half of the organization’s existence, the SIU was headquartered in New York, starting with our founding in 1938. We relocated to the Washington, D.C.…
Seafarers Log
Newly released data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found an overall increase in union membership across the country in 2023 along with a very slight drop in member density. Published on Jan. 23, the annual report also concluded that union members, on average, earn more money than…
Seafarers Log
Testifying at a U.S. House of Representatives hearing on the volatility of Red Sea shipping, SIU President David Heindel underscored the U.S. Merchant Marine’s commitment to delivering the goods while also calling for continued safeguards that protect all mariners transiting the area. SIU President David Heindel Heindel spoke on behalf…
Seafarers Log
SIU members are sailing aboard the newest addition to the American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) fleet: the ARC Honor. Operated by Seafarers-contracted TOTE, the ARC Honor – formerly the M/V Tulane – was reflagged to American registry and renamed on Feb. 2 in the port of Incheon, Korea, with U.S.…
Seafarers Log
Hands-on training has always been a staple of numerous courses at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland, dating to its founding in 1967. The Freedom Star docks in Piney Point For nearly the past eight years, one of the most visible tools that’s utilized for practical instruction at the…
Seafarers Log
The Seafarers LOG office sampled the signature sauce, and found the ranch-like sauce to be both delicious and hard to describe. Houston-based “Chef Machete” has famous clients and award-winning restaurants – but to the SIU, he’s known as Chief Cook Trinidad Gonzalez, who sailed from 2013-2019, primarily on tugs in…
Seafarers Log
Careers in the U.S. Merchant Marine are viable and rewarding. The SIU helped amplify that message Jan. 15-16 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where an industry event involving the multi-mission training ship Empire State took place. SIU Assistant Vice President Amancio Crespo and Safety Director Ricky Rivera took part in…
Seafarers Log
In Peace and War The safety of SIU crews is always our absolute top priority. With that in mind, the union is actively participating in high-level, recurring discussions involving our military leaders, vessel operators, fellow maritime unions and others – including the International Transport Workers’ Federation – who are diligently…
Seafarers Log
Seafarers have ratified a new 18-month agreement with TOTE Services that prominently features large wage increases on the eight ships the company operates for American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier (ARC). During the January membership meetings, SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker reported, “This new agreement features unprecedented increases in both wages and…
Seafarers Log
Seafarers International Union President Emeritus Michael Sacco died Dec. 28 in St. Louis, surrounded by family members. He was 86 years old and passed away from natural causes. Mike was the longest-serving president in SIU history, having led the organization from 1988 until his retirement in February 2023 (a period…