Editor’s note: Following his retirement, SIU President Emeritus Michael Sacco on Feb. 14 did an interview with the LOG in Florida. Excerpts from the discussion follow. Additional coverage of his career is available in the March edition of the LOG. Sacco served as SIU president from 1988-2023.
Q: Why did you decide to retire?
A: I’m 86 years old and I believe it’s time for me to retire. I’m leaving the union in good hands, that’s the main thing. The people who have been elected are going to do a great job in growing this union and maintaining its policies.
Q: How did you get involved with the SIU back in the late 1950s? (Sacco served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954-58.)
A: I really didn’t know what I wanted to do when I was younger. Paul Hall (who was the union’s president) was the one who actually recruited me. I was one of these kids in Brooklyn that used to hang around the hall. One day, I ran into him. He said, ‘Why don’t you go inside and talk to some of the boys? See if you can get your documents, and you can go to work on a ship.’ I talked to one of the patrolmen, and they gave me a letter. I went down to the Coast Guard and got my papers. Before you know it, I was washing dishes and pots and pans on a ship running from New York to Puerto Rico.
I really didn’t have any intention of staying, until I got my first pay. Once I got that first paycheck, I said, ‘Hey, this is not a bad deal. Let me think about it.’
As time went on, Paul took a special liking to me. He put me on an organizing campaign…. Finally, after I don’t know how many campaigns, he calls me in the office and says, ‘Why don’t you come to work for us?’ But even then, I really didn’t know how long I was going to stay.
Q: You served as the vice president of the Lundeberg School in Piney Point during its formative years. What do you remember about those days, and why do you think the school is still important for the SIU’s future?
A: In order for us to meet our contractual obligations, and with the way the industry changes, we have to have a training facility to meet the needs of the (vessel-operating) companies. Piney Point is the future of the SIU. As new technology comes into the industry and the job requirements change, we have to have the courses ready and available to teach our people to meet those needs. What Piney Point really did for me is, it opened my eyes to what the industry is all about. When you work in a port and that’s all you see, that’s all you understand…. That’s when I realized that if we didn’t help keep the industry strong and profitable, in time, we’d all be out of a job. I grew up in Piney Point.
Q: Paul Hall recruited you, but what other officials influenced you?
A: E.B. MacAuley. He was my main man. He was our headquarters representative in Brooklyn. I used to go on payoffs with him. He used to tell me, write down all the questions you couldn’t answer. After we get done with the payoff, you and I will sit down and review them. Same thing with the beefs – write it all down. He made sure I read the constitution and knew it from A to Z. He used to say, after six months, the questions all repeat, and he was right. Suddenly it comes easy, and you know the answers.
Q: You have no shortage of accomplishments as president. What’s one you’re especially proud of?
A: When I was invited to the White House to meet the Queen of England (Elizabeth II, in 2007). That was a highlight of my whole life. My wife (Sophie) and I get there, and we’re waiting in line to get in. (Congresswoman) Nancy Pelosi sees me, and I know what she’s thinking: ‘What the heck are you doing here?’ I was the only labor guy. You could see it on her face. (Senator) Trent Lott yells, ‘Your mother is going to be proud of you.’
But there have been so many experiences. It’s hard for me to believe I did all those things.
Q: What is something you enjoyed about being president?
A: How people looked to me for leadership. I provided hope for a lot of people at that time (when first taking office). There was a lot of insecurity (years ago). Paul Hall would fire you in a minute, ship you out. Even E.B. MacAuley had to go to sea for six months because we couldn’t make payroll. We needed security and stability. I felt it all the time – my job was in jeopardy every day when I was a patrolman.
Q: What are your plans for retirement?
A: I really don’t know. After a couple of months, I’m thinking of going to my church and seeing how I can help and volunteer – on a very limited basis. I don’t want to put myself in a position where it’s going to be a work day, but I’d like to help as much as I can. Whatever I could do to help.
But at first, I want at least two or three months to calm down. I’m going to miss everybody. I don’t know anything but this work.
Q: Looking back on when the NMU merged into the SIU in 2001, what comes to mind?
A: The NMU merger was a turning point. It eliminated the competition on bids for government contracts. Before the merger, the NMU would bid, we would bid lower, then they would come back and bid lower. It was crazy. But every promise that I made to the NMU, I kept.
The fact that it worked out so well is an example of timing being on our side – maybe it’s fate, maybe it’s luck. Maybe because we always try to do the right thing, and we were so transparent with everybody.
Q: You said you weren’t sure how long you’d stick with the SIU, and that you sailed but also did other jobs after serving in the Air Force. Ultimately, what made you stay during those initial years?
A: The money (from sailing) was good, but it wasn’t only the money, it was the people. No one ever asked where you came from or who you were. As long as you did your job, nobody bothered you, and that was good enough for me.
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