The Seafarers International Union (SIU), the largest shipboard labor union in North America, endorsed Congressman Steny Hoyer in his campaign for the Democratic nomination in the Fifth District of Maryland.
“There are few members of Congress who have consistently and effectively advocated on behalf of the men and women of the United States Merchant Marine more than you have,” wrote Seafarers International Union President Michael Sacco in a letter endorsing the Congressman. “Your efforts have helped to keep America safe, keep our maritime industry sailing in peace and in war, and have helped to provide good-paying, middle-class jobs for tens, if not hundreds of thousands of Americans throughout your career.”
Congressman Hoyer has been instrumental in the crafting and enactment of many critical maritime industry statutes, including the Maritime Security Program, and has been a stalwart defender of the Jones Act and other policies that help keep the United States Merchant Marine afloat. Moreover, he has worked to create or save nearly 23,000 jobs across the Fifth District, including jobs at Patuxent River Naval Air Station; St. Inigoes; the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head; and Goddard Space Flight Center.
“As both a constituent and as an official with the Union, I have worked closely with Steny Hoyer for many, many years,” said SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez. “There is no one better to represent Maryland and no better person to serve as House Majority Leader than Steny Hoyer. All of us in labor recognize the debt we owe him for his stalwart leadership and his willingness to stand up for us throughout his career. He stood up for us, and we’ll continue to stand up for him.”
The union urges Maryland residents to note that Maryland’s primary election was rescheduled for June 2, and mainly is being conducted by traditional mail. All eligible voters will be mailed a ballot, according to the Maryland Board of Elections. Those ballots display the original primary date of April 28, but they are in fact valid for the June 2 election. No postage is required to submit a ballot. The return ballot must be postmarked no later than June 2 but can be mailed at any time before then. Voters should sign only the oath on the outside of the envelope but not the ballot itself.
Chartered in 1938, the SIU represents merchant mariners sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels in the deep sea, Great Lakes and inland trades, including on government-owned vessels. The union’s headquarters building is located in Camp Springs, Maryland; its affiliated training school, the Paul Hall Center, is located in Piney Point, Maryland, which is part of Congressman Hoyer’s district.
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