Seafarers Log
January 2017New Tonnage Every Month Punctuates Year of Remembrance The year 2016 saw an abundance of new, SIU-contracted tonnage enter the American-flag fleet, signaling job security for Seafarers. Every month of 2016, at least one vessel was either christened, delivered or reflagged under the Stars and Stripes. Most of…
Seafarers Log
January 2017 Seafarers from four vessels were honored late last year during the United Seamen’s Service’s annual Admiral of the Ocean Seas event in New York. Earning recognition were the mariners from the MV Ocean Glory, MV Maersk Kentucky, MV Courage, and USNS Mercy, respectively. The Ocean Glory and Kentucky…
Seafarers Log
January 2017 The American maritime industry has applauded the nomination of Elaine L. Chao as the next United States Secretary of Transportation. Chao, who most recently served as Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush, is also a former Deputy Administrator of the DOT’s Maritime Administration, former Chair of…
Seafarers Log
January 2017 It’s not often the SIU gets to dedicate a brand-new hiring hall, but when the opportunity arose last month in Houston, the ceremonial opening arguably couldn’t have gone better. Rank-and-file members, retirees, family members and a veritable Who’s Who of Texas politicians packed the hall at 625 North…
Seafarers Log
January 2017 Death, taxes and the annual Thanksgiving feast at the SIU hall in Oakland, California? They’re all sure things, though, fortunately, the union’s yearly gathering has nothing else in common with the other happenings on that list. Most recently, the SIU on Nov. 22 (two days before the holiday)…
Seafarers Log
January 2017 SIU-contracted, Honolulu-based Pasha Hawaii recently announced that the company had narrowed its selection to two U.S. shipyards for the construction of two new liquefied natural gas-fueled containerships, with the option to order two additional vessels. Contract specifications reportedly were still being finalized at press time. In a news…
Seafarers Log
January 2017 Unions Are Needed Now More Than Ever Recently, a member of Congress questioned why our nation needs unions. The implication was that unions have outlived their time, and could safely be done away with. But it is absolutely crucial to remember that unions not only fought for and…
Seafarers Log
January 2017 Each year, the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) makes scholarships available to qualified individuals who are looking to further their education. The 2017 program will offer eight awards totaling $132,000. Three scholarships will be designated for Seafarers while five will be targeted for spouses and dependents. One…