Seafarers Log
Two of the year’s first congressional hearings on the maritime industry reflected strong bipartisan support for the U.S. Merchant Marine as a whole and for the Jones Act in particular. SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez (pictured above) testified on behalf of maritime labor during a March 6 hearing conducted…
Seafarers Log
Seafarers were on hand to help welcome a new, state-of-the-art Crowley vessel in Puerto Rico. The company on Feb. 22 christened the U.S.-flag combination container/roll on-roll off (ConRo) ship MV Taíno in San Juan. Clara…
Seafarers Log
For the tenth year in a row, representatives…
Seafarers Log
An executive order signed by President Trump on March 4 will make it easier for military personnel to transition into the U.S. Merchant Marine. The SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education was represented at the signing ceremony in the Oval Office. Apprentice Corey Daniel Reseburg was one…
Seafarers Log
U.S. Congressmen Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi) and Brian Mast (R-Florida) have different public-speaking styles, but they offered similarly passionate messages when addressing the MTD executive board last month. Both of them expressed strong support for the Jones Act and the U.S. Merchant Marine. They also stressed the importance of grassroots political…
Seafarers Log
The head of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) thoroughly understands the challenges facing America’s maritime industry, but remains optimistic about its future. Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby delivered that message Feb. 21 as the first guest speaker to address the MTD executive board this year. The setting was nothing new for…
Seafarers Log
Power of Solidarity Both during the recent government shutdown and throughout the teachers’ strike in Los Angeles, union members showed the enduring power of collective action and solidarity. Grassroots mobilization, standing up for the truth, and having each other’s backs led to positive outcomes in both cases. Community outreach across…
Seafarers Log
Unions were undeterred during a 35-day federal government shutdown that ended in late January. Members of Congress meet with workers at the SIU hall in Honolulu. Standing in back, starting fourth from right, are Sen. Mazie Hirono, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Ed…
Seafarers Log
Seafarers will continue sailing aboard two expeditionary transfer dock (ESD) vessels, following a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The DOD on Jan. 25 reported that SIU-contracted Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. has been selected to continue operating the USNS Montford Point and the USNS John Glenn for up…
Seafarers Log
U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters, many of them featuring SIU crews, carried 8.5 million tons of cargo in December, an increase of 17.5 percent compared to a year ago, the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) reported. Driving the surge was a 16-percent increase in iron ore cargoes. Limestone and coal cargoes also…