Seafarers Log
U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis recently offered strong words of support for the U.S. Merchant Marine. Speaking June 16 to new graduates of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Mattis said, “You’re going to be the fourth arm of the defense. You’re going to sustain our allies and fuel our…
Seafarers Log
On June 27, the Supreme Court issued its opinion in the much-anticipated Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 case, which overturned 40 years of public-sector collective bargaining policy. The 5-4 decision bars states from requiring non-members from paying what are known as agency or fair-share fees to unions who collectively bargain…
Seafarers Log
The United Seamen’s Service (USS) 2018 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) will be presented to Paul Doell, national president of the Seafarers-affiliated American Maritime Officers (AMO); Salvador Bruno, president and CEO of Hapag- Lloyd USA; and Raymond F. Fitzgerald, chairman of the ARC Group, one of the leading…
Seafarers Log
More Jones Act tonnage is on the way, following the June 30 christening of the Seafarers-contracted containership Daniel K. Inouye at Philly Shipyard. The Inouye is the largest U.S.-built containership (850 feet long, 3,600 TEUs). It is named in memory of the late U.S. Senator from Hawaii – and honorary…
Seafarers Log
Three Seafarers who work aboard NY Waterway passenger ferries recently pulled off their second rescue in two months. Capt. Gil Rivera and Deckhands Selena Sobers and Ignacio Minutillo on July 9 pulled a teen to safety after his sailboat overturned in the Hudson River. A New York Police Department Harbor…
Seafarers Log
Back to Issue A few weeks before finishing his time at the helm of the U.S. Coast Guard, Adm. Paul Zukunft reiterated his support for America’s freight cabotage law. During a question-and-answer period following a speech he gave in Washington, D.C., the admiral responded, “There’s this fixation that we need…
Seafarers Log
In a recent op-ed featured in Alaska Economic Trends, Alaska Department of Labor Commissioner Heidi Drygas extolled the virtues of the U.S. domestic shipping trade as it relates to the Alaskan economy. “Since joining Governor Walker’s cabinet as labor commissioner, I have been working to achieve his goal of improving…
Seafarers Log
Back to Issue August is the birth month of a dedicated leader who served as the second president of the Seafarers International Union of North America, the late Paul Hall. While I realize that for our younger members, Paul’s name is primarily associated with our affiliated school in Piney Point…
Seafarers Log
The Board has been provided information by the Union supporting the need to adjust prescribed business hours for hiring halls via closure on Saturdays. The Board in its determination to make such amendment considered: a majority of contracted employers are closed on Saturdays, non-peak member utilization of the hiring hall…
Seafarers Log
SIU CIVMARS recently assisted in a dramatic rescue at sea. On June 12, SIU Government Services Division members leapt into action to aid 41 men and women while sailing aboard the USNS Trenton in the Mediterranean Sea. The crew of the Trenton, a Spearheadclass expeditionary fast transport vessel, rescued the…