Seafarers Log
In Peace and War The safety of SIU crews is always our absolute top priority. With that in mind, the union is actively participating in high-level, recurring discussions involving our military leaders, vessel operators, fellow maritime unions and others – including the International Transport Workers’ Federation – who are diligently…
Seafarers Log
Seafarers have ratified a new 18-month agreement with TOTE Services that prominently features large wage increases on the eight ships the company operates for American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier (ARC). During the January membership meetings, SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker reported, “This new agreement features unprecedented increases in both wages and…
Seafarers Log
Seafarers International Union President Emeritus Michael Sacco died Dec. 28 in St. Louis, surrounded by family members. He was 86 years old and passed away from natural causes. Mike was the longest-serving president in SIU history, having led the organization from 1988 until his retirement in February 2023 (a period…
Seafarers Log
The Pentagon on Dec. 18 announced the formal launch of an international effort to protect civilian mariners and their vessels in the Red Sea. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stated, “The recent escalation in reckless Houthi attacks originating from Yemen threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent…
Seafarers Log
In an official White House statement, President Biden declared that construction projects for the federal government valued at or above $35 million will require Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). This ruling is supported by the Biden-Harris administration after a period of demonstrated success using PLAs to complete federal construction projects with…
Seafarers Log
The U.S. Mint is gearing up to release a silver dollar coin with a merchant mariner prominently featured on the coin’s face as a tribute to their significant contributions to our country’s triumph in World War II. The new coin design is set to debut early this year as part…
Seafarers Log
The SIU helped spearhead inclusion of two potentially crucial pro-maritime components of the newly enacted National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). One of those statutes will reduce – by 50 percent – the sea-time requirements for qualifying for an AB endorsement. This change took effect immediately upon President Biden signing the…
Seafarers Log
For Seafarers Faith Gonse and her son, Christopher, sailing with the SIU has proven to be a resoundingly positive experience – one that holds even greater promise for the future. They shared a milestone late last year when they received their respective B-seniority books at the hiring hall in Norfolk,…
Seafarers Log
Editor’s note: Longtime readers may recall that the LOG publishes annual coverage of the union’s participation in Santa’s Castle, a philanthropic project based in the Pacific Northwest. We’re taking a slightly different approach this time, in the form of a first-person account from SIU Assistant Vice President Joe Vincenzo, who…