Seafarers Log
Ready to Deliver Russia’s invasion of Ukraine remains the dominant story worldwide, and it definitely affects not just the maritime industry from a business standpoint but also, more importantly, the people who work in it. Through our affiliation with the International Transport Workers’ Federation, the SIU is doing whatever we…
Seafarers Log
The maritime industry fared well in the recently approved federal spending bill. Congress in early March passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022. The $1.5 trillion omnibus package includes full funding for the new U.S. Tanker Security Program (TSP), the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP), and for two U.S.- flag…
Seafarers Log
The AFL-CIO Executive Council on March 15 unanimously adopted a statement opposing a proposed open register in the U.S. Virgin Islands. SIU President Michael Sacco, the council’s longest- serving member, provided background on the situation to other board members. SIU President Michael Sacco (right) and AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler In…
Seafarers Log
Editor’s note: This letter was posted on the SIU website on Feb. 21, 2022, and it has been circulated on Capitol Hill. It was written in response to the governor’s public support for a proposed open register. Visit the SIU website and/or check last month’s LOG for additional coverage of…
Seafarers Log
The presidents of six American maritime unions, including SIU President Michael Sacco, sent a letter to President Biden underscoring their support for his handling of the war in Ukraine and reaffirming the availability of the U.S. Merchant Marine. Dated March 9, the letter conveys the unions’ “strong support for the…
Seafarers Log
A major maritime coalition recently sent a letter to President Biden to address misconceptions about the Jones Act. Specifically, the letter addressed the transportation of crude oil and other energy cargoes in the United States in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was sent by the American Maritime…
Seafarers Log
President Biden, meeting with the AFL-CIO leadership and principal officers of international unions on March 5, said once again he will not waiver in his longtime support for the Jones Act, the nation’s freight cabotage law. The president was responding to a statement from SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez…
Seafarers Log
As previously reported, Comprehensive Health Services (CHS) earlier this year informed the SIU and the Seafarers Plans that the company “was the target of a cyber intrusion” that may have involved current and former SIU members’ personal information. CHS in February mailed a letter to all potentially affected Seafarers. Recipients…
Seafarers Log
America’s freight cabotage law – a vital source of U.S. maritime jobs – enjoys ongoing, strong support from the administration and from all components of the industry. That conclusion was a main takeaway following the 2022 Capital Link Jones Act and U.S.-Flag Shipping Forum, an online conference that took place…
Seafarers Log
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-Louisiana) recently introduced the American Offshore Worker Fairness Act. This bill, cosponsored in the House by Reps. Garret Graves (R-Louisiana) and John Garamendi (D-California), provides a level playing field between U.S.-flagged vessels and foreign-flagged vessels working in offshore energy activities in U.S. waters, according to…