Seafarers Log
The Maritime Trades Department (MTD) recently welcomed its newest affiliate: the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). “We are very proud and honored that the AFT has joined the ranks of the MTD,” declared MTD President Michael Sacco, who also is president of the SIU. “We have had a very good…
Seafarers Log
SIU mariners working aboard Express Marine vessels recently ratified a new, three-year contract with wage increases each year, among other improvements. Negotiating for the SIU were Captain Riley Johnson, Mate Jeff Fackett and AB Scottie Duncan, alongside Philadelphia Port Agent Joe Baselice. The contract includes improved vacation benefits, a boost…
Seafarers Log
The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), to which the SIU is affiliated, has announced the latest addition to its American Maritime Heroes campaign: former U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul F. Zukunft (Ret). According to AMP, “An American Maritime Hero is recognized for his or her courage, outstanding achievements, or noble…
Seafarers Log
A civilian-crewed U.S. military support ship recently took a big step towards delivery. The USNS Puerto Rico – which will be crewed by CIVMARS from the SIU Government Services Division – successfully completed the first integrated sea trials for an expeditionary fast transport (EPF) ship Aug. 22. The vessel returned…
Seafarers Log
The head of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) recently reiterated that the agency is constantly pushing to revitalize the U.S. Merchant Marine. At a recent Navy League breakfast, Maritime Administrator RAdm. Mark Buzby (USN, Ret) spoke of the importance of the American maritime industry, in relation to both domestic security…
Seafarers Log
When longtime Seafarer Shawn “Fuji” Fujiwara realized he had to downsize from his residence, he wanted to find a suitable home for some of his prized lighthouse model collection. It didn’t take long for him to identify his preferred destinations: SIU headquarters, and the union-affiliated school in Piney Point, Maryland.…
Seafarers Log
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in a booklet titled “The Seafarers in World War II.” Written by the late SIU historian John Bunker, the 44-page digest recapped the often-heroic work of Seafarers during the war. (More than 1,200 SIU members lost their lives during World War II.) The tale…
Seafarers Log
Seattle attorney Lembhard “Lem” Howell spent a 50-year career championing civil rights. He’s received numerous awards for his legal advocacy, landmark lawsuits to expand employment opportunities for African Americans and for his work to reform the criminal justice system in Washington state. But Howell, now 83, has never forgotten that…
Seafarers Log
Editor’s note: This article was written by Rafael Alvarez, who spent 20 years as a city desk reporter for the Baltimore Sun. The son of a longtime member of the SIU’s inland division (pensioner Manuel Alvarez, 85), he…
Seafarers Log
Our industry scored an important victory in late July, when United States Senators from both sides of the aisle stood up for the Jones Act. Specifically, they turned back two ill-conceived amendments in the Coast Guard Authorization Act that would have weakened America’s freight cabotage law. The resounding, bipartisan votes…