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 actions you are taking to combat the horrific and unjustified attack by Russia against Ukraine. This unprovoked attack not only threatens the right of freedom-loving people in Ukraine to continue to live in a democracy but poses the most serious threat to our friends and allies in Europe since World War II.”
The union presidents pointed out that U.S. mariners always answer the nation’s call, and will do so again if needed.
“As they did during World War II and in every conflict and international emergency before and since, the men and women of the United States-flag merchant marine stand ready to do what we can to support the strongest possible economic responses necessary to bring this conflict to a quick and successful conclusion,” the letter noted. “To this end, we strongly endorse your decision to end all oil and natural gas imports from Russia as well as the imposition of additional rigorous trade sanctions against Russia as deemed appropriate.
“We understand and appreciate that these actions will likely have a negative economic impact on many of our fellow citizens and many of our members who are still struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the labor leaders continued. “However, the men and women of the United States-flag merchant marine also understand that such a sacrifice is once again necessary in order for our country to provide the leadership the rest of the free world has come to expect and rely upon.”
They concluded, “As our nation’s fourth arm of defense, the United States-flag merchant marine and its cadre of American merchant mariners have a unique role and proud tradition of service to our country in time of war or other emergency. We again stand ready to work with you and your Administration to provide the support and service our country needs.”
Signing the letter were Sacco; Sailors’ Union of the Pacific President Dave Connolly; American Maritime Officers President Paul Doell; International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots President Don Marcus; Marine Firemen’s Union President Anthony Poplawski; and Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association President Adam Vokac.
Meanwhile, the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have designated areas in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov as “Warlike Operations Areas,” triggering an increased security level and other entitlements for foreign mariners in the war zone.
The designation was agreed at an emergency meeting in early March. Discussions focused on repatriation, payment of wages, safe transit and respect of individual seafarers’ rights, particularly for mariners from the region.
The JNG and ITF negotiate and ensure application of the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) agreement, which is the only international collective bargaining agreement covering terms and conditions for seafarers in international trade on more than 9,000 ships.
“The escalation in hostilities and conflict in Ukraine has put enormous pressure on seafarers of all nations and an industry already laboring under the demands and challenges of the pandemic,” the organizations said in a joint statement. “The parties agreed that the welfare of seafarers and the protection of their rights in this unprecedented situation was paramount to the spirit and intent of the IBF agreement.”
They added, “The facilitation of support from governments worldwide for potential refugee arrangements for Ukrainian seafarers and their families was also considered. The social partners agreed to increase pressure on governments to waive visas for Ukrainian seafarers to ease their repatriation.”
The JNG consists of the International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC), the International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ), the Korean Shipowners Association (KSA), and Taiwan-based company Evergreen.
The ITF, to which the SIU is affiliated, has member organizations around the world who collectively represent more than 20 million transport workers.
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