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Hillary Clinton sent the following letter to SIU President Michael Sacco after the union endorsed her for president of the United States. For a PDF copy of the letter, click HERE January 8, 2016 Mr. Michael Sacco President Seafarers International Union of North America, AFL-CIO 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20745 Dear Michael: Thank you, and your fellow members of the Seafarers International Union, for endorsing my candidacy for president. I have been proud to stand with and fight for working families throughout my entire career, and I am honored to have your support in this fight for the…
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The U.S. Navy issued the following news release on January 7. The future USNS John Lewis will be crewed by SIU Government Services mariners. Secretary of the Navy Announces First Ship of Next Generation Fleet Repenishment Oilers, USNS John Lewis Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus announced today that the first ship of the next generation of fleet replenishment oilers (T-AO 205) will be named USNS John Lewis after the civil rights movement hero and current U.S. representative of Georgia's Fifth Congressional District. The announcement was made at a ship-naming ceremony held at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington,…
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 6, 2016 (Click HERE for a PDF copy of this announcement) The Seafarers International Union is proud to endorse Hillary Clinton for President of the United States. Based on many years of working with us to promote a strong U.S. Merchant Marine and to protect workers’ rights, we are confident that Secretary Clinton is the best choice to lead our nation forward. Hillary Clinton has unfailingly fought for America’s working families, including during her service as United States Senator from New York and as Secretary of State. She has always been an ardent supporter of American…
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The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), to which the SIU is affiliated, issued the following news release on January 6. International unions keeping close watch on Australia’s MV Portland dispute The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) and its affiliated unions are keeping a close eye on the MV Portland dispute in south-eastern Australia, with key international unions now backing the local campaign to protect jobs. ITF affiliate the MUA (Maritime Union of Australia) has been in dispute with Alcoa for nearly two months over the global miner’s plan to fire 40 local seafarers, sell their ship after 27 years of…
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The National Transportation Safety Board has issued the following news release and related links. To access the press release on the NTSB website, click HERE NTSB Opens Public Docket on Investigation Into Cargo Ship Sinking; Underwater Images and Video Released 1/3/2016 WASHINGTON - As part of its continuing investigation into the sinking of the cargo ship El Faro in the Atlantic Ocean in October, the National Transportation Safety Board has opened the accident docket and released underwater images and video of the vessel. The US flagged ship, owned by Sea Star Line, LLC, and operated by TOTE Services, went missing…
January 2016 Several Seafarers-crewed vessels were recognized at the 2015 Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) awards gathering, which took place Nov. 13 in New York City. Additionally, the United Seamen’s Service (USS) honored Anthony Chiarello, president and CEO of TOTE Inc.; Matthew J. Cox, president and CEO of Matson; and James C. McKenna, president and CEO of the Pacific Maritime Association with the AOTOS award. Chiarello dedicated his award to the crew of the El Faro, which sank in Hurricane Joaquin near the Bahamas on Oct. 1, claiming the lives of all 33 on board, including 17 SIU members.…
January 2016 SIU-contracted companies and Seafarers-crewed vessels once again racked up numerous awards at the Chamber of Shipping of America’s (CSA) annual winter ceremony. The CSA traditionally conducts two events each year: one in May that focuses on accident-free operations, and one in November for environmental safety. The winter gathering took place Nov. 4 in Washington, D.C., where the association presented Certificates of Environmental Achievement. According to the CSA, the average time operating without incident for ships and vessels that received awards is 6.9 years. More than 300 vessels have logged at least 10 years each of “environmental excellence.” U.S.…
January 2016 Editor’s note: This article and the accompanying photos were submitted by Chief Steward Shawn Fujiwara on behalf of the Global Sentinel. On Oct. 9 at 1100, the crew and officers of the cable ship Global Sentinel gathered as a family to give remembrance to our fallen brothers and sisters from the El Faro. Relief Captain Paul Klippel, an SIU hawsepiper, gathered his crew for a small service to reflect the loss of El Faro and her crew. Thirty-three red roses were gathered in a vase to reflect her crew. A candle was also lit in their memory. Joining…
January 2016 A new Jones Act tanker has entered the SIU-contracted fleet. On December 4 in San Diego, General Dynamics NASSCO delivered the Lone Star State to American Petroleum Tankers (APT), seven weeks after the vessel’s christening. While the ship signifies new jobs for Seafarers, it has additional meaning for the union shipyard that built it. According to NASSCO, “The new ECO Class tanker symbolizes the emerging direction of the shipping industry in the United States toward cleaner, more fuelefficient modes of transporting product.” SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker stated, “This vessel and the other ones on order mean…
January 2016 SIU President Michael Sacco recaps the union’s accomplishments and again reflects on the El Faro tragedy Like many other publications and websites, we normally include coverage at this time of year that looks back on the previous 12 months. It’s a good way to remind ourselves of what’s been accomplished and where we need to re-chart our course. It’s also another way I can tell Christmas and New Year’s Day are close: More and more “year in review” articles are popping up in my daily readings, which include a mix of websites and printed newspapers. (An aside: I…
