You were there all 50 years I sailed. Brother, it’s been a great ride. Enjoy your retirement. -Retired Bosun John Wells
It was a pleasure meeting you. Your guidance to help seamen in our future gave us confidence and was much appreciated. Thank you for allowing us to be part of the Brotherhood of the Sea. You are appreciated and never will be forgotten. – Cleavern Brown, former FOWT
Allow me to be on board the ship to send President Sacco my wishes for a happy retirement. Smooth sailing, sir. – Antoinette Saucier, former Cook and Baker
I first met Mr. Sacco at a union meeting in Houston in 1982. Mike and his brother Joey chaired a meeting. The union was knee-deep in a strike with Dixie Carriers. Mike had a way of speaking to the membership and has had that gift my whole career. Even in the early 80s when shipping was tight, Mike pushed members to fill jobs. And how important it was to keep the SIU on top of all the contracts under our umbrella.
As a longstanding member (42 years) I’ve always made it a point to make union meetings at Piney Point to hear Mike’s and Augie’s reports. I have a permanent job but still make meetings when I’m off. Even at the last meeting I saw Mike, he was pushing the membership to fill the jobs. And like every meeting, Mike let the membership know the importance of the Jones Act. Mr. Sacco has been the driving force behind the SIU. I personally thank Mike for all the years of looking out for us. – Recertified Bosun James K. Walker
I have been a member of the SIU for 44 years. I have seen the best and worst of economic times. Mike led us through the roughest times when others faltered. Mike was steadfast with keeping the last piece of the puzzle intact, the Jones Act. I wish Mike well going into retirement. – John Bilich, Master, M/V Rocketship
From my early days as a trainee until the day Mike retired, he was a constant inspiration and motivational force in my development as a Seafarer and eventual official of our great organization. Everyone needs to be uplifted and encouraged to become successful, and Mike’s steady hand brought that not only to me but hundreds, if not thousands of young Seafarers. Thank you for the years and best wishes for a long and healthy retirement! – SIU President David Heindel
As a young man entering a phase in my life where I was looking for a new career or simply a career, I entered the trainee program in Piney Point. Back then it was known as the trainee program and it had not yet graduated to the term or structure we use today, known as the apprentice program. Upon arrival there were the normal formalities of haircuts and uniforms, etc. But the charge really hit me when I attended my first SIU union meeting. It was then, listening to Mike, that I knew I had found my home and calling.
After going to sea, I had come ashore to work as a patrolman and organizer. Over the years, Mike had always given me great latitude to make decisions and learn. He is a great communicator with a vision to constantly grow our organization through hard work and influence. After many years of working for him and many years of “talks” and conversations we have had over a cup of coffee (and maybe a beer or two), he had become my mentor and friend. Accountability and responsibility were always part of his daily lesson. His passion and energetic outlook on the day’s task at hand will continue through those of us he has trained and mentored. Mike’s contribution to labor, maritime labor and the SIU are unsurpassed. In short, his career has been iconic. -Tom Orzechowski, SIU Secretary-Treasurer
I’ve known Mike Sacco 46 years. He was my union teacher in 1977 when I was in Piney Point as a trainee, and again when I came ashore in 1983 and worked as a young patrolman in New Orleans – working with his brother Joey, who was the vice president of the Gulf region.
Mike inspired me and gave me insight and knowledge of the maritime industry as a whole. He was a mentor, and his leadership was from the heart. One of his favorite sayings – and I use it all the time – is, “Money, marbles and chalk!” Godspeed, Mike. – SIU VP Government Services Nicholas Celona
Mike Sacco is the only president that has been at the helm since I came to work for the Seafarers 30-plus years ago. From the beginning, he always inspired me to work hard on behalf of the mariners. His passion for the industry and the men and women that work in it has always been something I have admired.
When he spoke at membership meetings or conventions, I was always willing to be part of the mission, whatever it might be! You couldn’t help but be moved into action. Mike has taught me so many lessons over the years, whether it was to “keep my eye on the bouncing ball” or letting him or others know when I needed help.
Every time I saw Mike, the first question was, “How’s it going, kid”? And I felt like he genuinely wanted to know. It might sound corny but he was a great leader with vision for the future and he provided me an appreciation for an industry that I didn’t know about when I first came aboard. – Maggie Bowen, Seafarers Plans Administrator
I have known Mike and have worked closely with him for the last 48 years. My introduction to Mike was at Piney Point when I was a trainee in 1975 and he was vice president of the school. What impressed me most about Mike at that time was his aptitude for public speaking. It was amazing to watch him engage the audience and hold their attention while he spoke, and I realized then that this was a special talent.
Mike gave me my first opportunity to come work ashore for the school as a union ed teacher in 1979. My confidence in teaching that class came from the skills I learned from Mike. Over the years, I was fortunate to witness many of Mike’s public speaking engagements in which he was able to captivate the audience, engage them at their level, and produce the results he was aiming for. One of the most memorable moments (and there have been many) was back in 1990 when I was a lobbyist for the SIU. Mike had only been president for two years, and the congressional budget process had done away with the operating differential subsidy program. This was a real threat to the U.S.-flag fleet in the international trades. Through Mike’s dynamic leadership and relationship skills, he spearheaded an effort with the American-flag shipping companies, the Maritime Administration and the newly created U.S. Transportation Command to create a new program to maintain the U.S.-flag presence in the international trades, and to provide the Department of Defense with sealift assets that they desperately needed.
After many meetings with DOD officials, our congressional representatives, and our shipping company CEOs and never giving up on our objectives, we all were successful in the birth of our current Maritime Security Program, which has stood the test of time.
Being with Mike during this time and watching him (along with others) orchestrate this objective was one of the proudest memories I have of Mike’s leadership abilities. I wish him all the best of health and fair, following seas in his retirement years. – Nick Marrone, SIU VP West Coast
My first day with the LOG coincided with the June 1991 membership meeting in Piney Point. When Mike spoke at the end, I had no idea what he was talking about – but I knew I was ready to run through the proverbial brick wall for him. I spent a lot of time with Mike behind the scenes, and always came away impressed. He was totally dedicated to the membership, and as I observed his tireless commitment year after year, I couldn’t bear the thought of ever letting him down. It was a blessing to work for him, and if there were a hall of fame for bosses, Mike would be a first-ballot inductee. – Jordan Biscardo, SIU Communications Director
June 1979 was the first time I heard Mike Sacco speak. It was at my first membership meeting; I was an 18-year-old trainee in Piney Point. His passion had a way of making me believe not only in the greatness of the SIU, but the potential within myself.
Throughout the next 44 years, I spent a lot of time around Mike, first as a member, then ultimately serving as part of his executive board. His lifetime devotion to the SIU and dedication to the men and women has paved the way for so many of us to live a prosperous life, filled with dignity and purpose. Thanks to your example we all show up with passion and devotion every day to make our members’ lives better, but no one will ever measure up to you, sir. Thank you. – George Tricker, SIU VP Contracts
I have been with the SIU for more than 36 years, almost all of it with Mike Sacco at the helm. Over the years, I have heard three sayings that sum up Mike.
“Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!” He never forgot what the union is all about, and he made sure none of us ever did – making sure our members are working, with good, safe jobs, and their families are taken care of. I remember how proud he was in 1990 when new general agreements were ratified with the first raises for members in years. Under his leadership, the union was able to expand its benefits to members and gradually extend benefits to families. The difference between what members had in 1988 to today is amazing.
“Money, Marbles and Chalk!” Mike made sure that members and friends knew where the SIU stood. When he gave this declaration, our friends and allies knew the Seafarers would be solid. From white caps marching on a picket line to financial help to members and families hurt by a natural disaster to solidarity for a worthy cause, Mike made sure the SIU cared for its members and all workers.
“Brawn to Brains.” Like the previous saying, this one has years of history behind it. Mike came to the union at a time when muscle settled many beefs. Under his leadership, he realized the times had changed. To survive, the SIU needed brainpower, and he was not afraid to have people around him who would give him the information needed to win at the negotiation table. Sure, there were plenty of headaches with this approach, but aspirin is a lot cheaper than setting broken arms and legs.
Personally, I was lucky enough to travel with him over the years when he would visit crews aboard ships. His whole attitude would lighten up as he climbed the gangways to visit with the members. He loves being around the members, whether on a vessel or at Piney Point. Mike, smooth seas and following winds to you, Sophie, and your entire family. – Daniel Duncan, Retired MTD Exec. Secretary-Treasurer, former SIU Communications Director
I worked with Mike Sacco for over 40 years. I have always been inspired by his dedication to the union and its membership. I also appreciated his leadership approach, which was always collaborative in nature. In addition, he never shot the messenger when I had to indicate that we could not do something legally that people were proposing and I certainly appreciated that. He believed in me and my ability to be general counsel at a time when very few unions were elevating women into that role. – Leslie Tarantola, SIU General Counsel
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Michael for his great leadership of the SIU and his work at the forefront of protection for seafarers all over the world. His advocacy and determination to defend the Jones Act and constant support in helping us establish cabotage in Australia and around the world has never waned. – Paddy Crumlin, President, ITF
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