Seafarers Log
Worthy Addition to Next Stimulus For all the alterations to day-to-day life brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing that hasn’t changed is the SIU’s constant effort to promote and protect the U.S. Merchant Marine. As reported elsewhere in this edition and on our website, American maritime remains fully…
Seafarers Log
Loren Thompson, the chief operating officer for the Lexington Institute, recently wrote an op-ed for the Forbes website strongly stating that the current coronavirus pandemic should refocus the government’s attention to rebuilding the U.S.-flag fleet. In an April 17 article titled “Coronavirus Makes the National Security Case for Rebuilding U.S.…
Seafarers Log
Union and non-union mariners, shipowners, dredgers, schools, barge operators, pilots, suppliers and other stakeholders within the U.S.-flag maritime industry – large and small – recently joined together to send a letter to President Donald Trump indicating their vehement opposition to waiving the Jones Act, the nation’s freight cabotage law. The…
Seafarers Log
With the world still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, SIU crews around the globe continued delivering the goods as of early May. At press time, a few SIU-crewed ships were on the verge of laying up due to lack of cargo – a direct result of the novel coronavirus that…
Seafarers Log
In late April, labor and business leaders from around the Badger State stood up the Wisconsin Domestic Maritime Coalition (WIDMAC) as the voice of the domestic maritime industry in Wisconsin. The coalition, comprised of leading unions and employers from throughout the state, launched with an announcement of 41% growth of…
Seafarers Log
A major maritime coalition recently urged the United States Congress to support America’s sealift capability. USA Maritime, to which the SIU is affiliated, sent a communication in late April to the majority and minority leaders in both the House and Senate. The letter was signed by the SIU and other…
Seafarers Log
Seven United States Senators — all Republicans — called on President Trump to keep the Jones Act intact, and even look for ways to strengthen it, during the nation’s coronavirus pandemic. The elected officials represent various parts of the nation. The signatories to the letter supporting the Jones Act are…
Seafarers Log
Editor’s note: This letter was mailed to active Seafarers in mid-April April 17, 2020 Dear SIU Brothers and Sisters: In addition to 2020 being a presidential election year, we are also scheduled to conduct our union election. While we still plan to run the SIU election as usual pursuant to…
Seafarers Log
Elections for the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters are scheduled for later this year. As in past SIU election years, a comprehensive guide will be published in the Seafarers LOG prior to the balloting. In the case of members eligible to vote who believe they will be at…
Seafarers Log
Editor’s note: This is the second installment from a 1951 booklet titled “The Seafarers in World War II.” Penned by the late SIU historian John Bunker, the publication recapped SIU members’ service in the war. More than 1,200 SIU members lost their lives to wartime service in the U.S. Merchant…