Bipartisan Backing in D.C.
Newer members of the SIU may not know that our headquarters operations weren’t always based in Maryland. For a little longer than half of the organization’s existence, the SIU was headquartered in New York, starting with our founding in 1938.
We relocated to the Washington, D.C. area in 1982, and it wasn’t because of relatively cheap real estate. The move had everything to do with putting ourselves in the best possible position to advocate both for the union and for the U.S. Merchant Marine as a whole.
Whether you’re an old salt, a new member or somewhere in between in your maritime career, you undoubtedly know that our industry is heavily regulated. To the point where you’d probably have a hard time naming a federal agency that doesn’t have at least a secondary maritime connection.
Other industries face a similar landscape, and that’s why so many unions and trade associations and other advocacy groups have offices in and around the nation’s capital. State and local politics are vital in their own rights, but a lot of our biggest-picture work happens at the federal level. When you read and hear about the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program, cargo preference, the Tanker Security Program, the Export-Import Bank and other initiatives that promote a strong American-flag fleet, those usually depend on backing from Congress and the administration.
With all of that in mind, I welcomed the recent opportunity to testify in Congress about the ongoing safety concerns involving commercial shipping in the Red Sea and nearby areas. Throughout the course of that hearing in late January, it was obvious that there is strong bipartisan support for our industry – the kind of well-informed backing that we’ll need in order to fully revitalize the U.S. Merchant Marine.
Similarly, a week after that hearing, U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin), who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, wrote to the commanding officer of the U.S. Transportation Command and to the head of the U.S. Maritime Administration to promote detailed dialogue – and action – related to our nation’s sealift capabilities. I believe that this kind of engagement can only benefit American maritime.
Without grassroots political action, our industry would disappear. That’s why I appreciate your support of SPAD, the SIU’s voluntary political action fund. It’s why we’re returning to Capitol Hill next month for the annual Maritime Congressional Sail-In, a day-long event that promotes mariners, U.S.-flag operators, and pro-maritime laws and programs. And it’s why we’re coming up on 42 years in our current home base in Camp Springs. For better or worse, politics is the name of the game. That’s how we promote our industry and protect your jobs, and we’ll never stop. But Washington isn’t all-encompassing, and grassroots means all of us – we can’t succeed on this front without you spreading the word back home.
Union, Yes!
The latest report on union membership from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reinforces what we in the labor movement have long known. Union members typically enjoy higher wages and better benefits than their unrepresented counterparts in the workforce.
Other reports and studies over the years have concluded that union members generally are more productive than non-union workers, and that union shops have less turnover. This makes sense, because when workers know they’ve got a true voice on the job, and when they have the security of a union contract, they are bound to be invested in their day-to-day tasks and responsibilities. I think people outside the labor movement also overlook the reciprocal, three-way accountability that comes with union membership. This involves the employer, the union, and the rank-and-file members. Our success is interdependent.
I was pleased to read about an overall increase in union membership this past year and I’m optimistic about our movement’s opportunities to capitalize on the pro-worker, pro-union sentiments across the country.
Congrats and Best Wishes
Last but not least, I extend a warm welcome to Willie Barrere in his new role as National President of the Seafarers-affiliated American Maritime Officers (AMO). The SIU is already working well with Willie, who was elected by his union’s executive board to complete the term of Paul Doell. We are very familiar with Willie and are confident that he’ll be a steady hand at the wheel.
As you may know, Paul recently retired after nearly a decade as president. Like so many of us from his era, Paul devoted his entire working life to maritime labor – he began his AMO career in 1972. He did a great job and we wish him all the best in retirement.
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