Seafarers Log
In late August, I had the bittersweet duty of presiding over the elections of Liz Shuler as the new president of the AFL-CIO, and Fred Redmond as the new secretary-treasurer. As you undoubtedly know, the proceedings were necessary because of the unexpected passing of my longtime friend AFL-CIO President Richard…
Seafarers Log
All SIU jobs and the union contract remain in place following the recent acquisition of Jones Act carrier U.S. Shipping Corp. (USSC) by SEACOR Holdings. SEACOR announced the transaction’s completion Aug. 13. “Nothing changes as far as we’re concerned,” said SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker. “It’s business as usual,…
Seafarers Log
Once again, Seafarers have met the sudden demands of the United States Transportation Command, in conjunction with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) and the Maritime Administration (MARAD), by successfully completing Turbo Activation 21-1. The recent exercise involved crewing 18 vessels: 17 MARAD Ready Reserve Force (RRF) ships and one MSC…
Seafarers Log
As of Labor Day weekend, it appeared the oft-discussed “new normal” in the United States includes COVID-19 vaccine mandates in many components of federal and state governments as well as private business. Though far from universal, the requirements became more prevalent after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on…
Seafarers Log
A letter sent to some SIU pensioners in August spells out opportunities to temporarily resume sailing. The communication notes that Seafarers Pension Plan Trustees, in an effort to recruit qualified mariners, “decided to allow pensioners who have retired within the last five years to return to work with an SIU-contracted…
Seafarers Log
Mariners aboard the SIU-crewed Golden State (Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning) recently saved two individuals who’d been adrift for four days with limited food and water – and with a tropical storm approaching. The rescue took place Aug. 14, approximately 145 nautical miles west of Key West, Florida. “The AMO and…
Seafarers Log
The following statement by President Joe Biden is posted on the White House website (and on the SIU website): My father taught me from a young age that a job is about much more than a paycheck. It is about dignity, respect, and your place in the community. It is…
Seafarers Log
With SIU President Michael Sacco chairing the proceedings, the AFL-CIO Executive Council on Aug. 20 elected Liz Shuler, a visionary leader and longtime trade unionist, to serve as president of the federation of 56 unions and 12.5 million members. Shuler is the first woman to hold the office in the…
Seafarers Log
Members of the SIU Government Services Division sailing aboard the USNS Patuxent helped perform two rescues just nine days apart earlier this year. The Patuxent, a fleet replenishment oiler, learned of a vessel in distress in the Gulf of Aden on June 7. The runway-flag commercial vessel Falcon Line had…
Seafarers Log
Instructors at the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School unexpectedly put their skills to the test when an upgrader recently suffered a medical emergency. AB Steven Hicks was in the process of returning his fire fighting gear to the bunkhouse on Aug. 6 when he began experiencing shortness of…