Seafarers Log
During the White House Labor Day observance, both President Biden and AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler emphasized the importance of passing legislation that would boost workers’ rights. Biden reiterated his full support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, while Shuler explained why the bill remains organized labor’s top…
Seafarers Log
September 29, 2021 COVID-19 is here to stay. Our members aboard vessels remain in grave danger with the Delta variant on the loose. Many of our organizations have lost members to ravages of the disease; including some who have lost their lives while aboard ship. Several ships have had serious…
Seafarers Log
SIU members are sailing aboard the recently reflagged tanker Pohang Pioneer – an outright addition to the Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) fleet. Built in 2018 by Dae Sun Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. in Korea, the shallow-draft vessel is 357 feet long, has a beam of 59 feet and can sail…
Seafarers Log
Adding to an already packed year of contract negotiations, two more agreements were recently ratified by the membership – with Crowley Towing and Transportation and with G&H Towing, respectively. Each contract is for three years. The Crowley pact covers approximately 160 Seafarers. It took effect July 1, and was ratified…
Seafarers Log
Whether at home, on the job or upon returning after mandatory evacuation, SIU members in New Orleans endured Hurricane Ida with determination and professionalism. Many Seafarers continued working during…
Seafarers Log
The annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) awards dinner returns to an in-person format this year, and one of the three main honorees is especially well-known to Seafarers. SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel has been named by the United Seamen’s Service (USS) as an AOTOS recipient, along with Maersk Line,…
Seafarers Log
“Everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity. And that’s what the labor union is all about: dignity.” President Biden credited his late father with regularly reinforcing that message, and the commander in chief shared it during his remarks at a Sept. 8 White House ceremony celebrating Labor Day. Also…
Seafarers Log
Seafarers recently left no doubt about their view of a new contract between the union and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). Members unanimously ratified a nine-year agreement described by several as “groundbreaking” for cruise ships, due to how closely its wages and many other economic elements come to mirroring the SIU…
Seafarers Log
After completing an intensive and all-encompassing curriculum, six bosuns are the latest to finish recertification. Seafarers Joseph Gierbolini, Richard Grubbs, Brian Guiry, Tavell Love, Samuel Porchea and Lionel Rivas graduated from the course Oct. 4, when they were introduced at the membership meeting in Piney Point, Maryland. Their two-week curriculum,…
Seafarers Log
SIU members took pandemic-related safeguards while enthusiastically engaging in a months-long community outreach effort in Oakland, California. Seafarers pitched in to help a local Covenant House…