The SIU in late June won an arbitration decision that is expected to result in thousands of dollars’ worth of overtime being paid to eligible Seafarers employed by Crowley Maritime and its subsidiaries.
New York-based arbitrator Jay Nadelbach on June 25 sided with the union in its efforts to secure compensation for mariners who were restricted to ship in domestic ports at any time from July 12, 2020 through August 25, 2020. It is unknown when payments will begin.
SIU Vice President Contracts George Tricker stated, “I truly believe that this case was nothing more than an honest difference of opinion about interpreting contractual language. It has been obvious throughout the pandemic that the company has the members’ safety and best interests at heart. Nevertheless, I obviously agree with the arbitrator’s decision, and look forward to eligible members being compensated.”
As noted both during the March 23 hearing (conducted online) and in the ruling, this grievance proved unique. It centered on a pandemic-induced circumstance that simply hadn’t been considered before last year – namely, that American mariners could be restricted to ship in U.S. ports.
Representing the SIU during the hearing were Tricker and, from the union’s legal department, Leslie Tarantola, Stan Dubin and Zachary Chase.
The union and the company are in the process of identifying all unlicensed mariners who were aboard the company’s vessels during that specific time, while the vessels were in domestic ports. The union will forward settlement checks to the respective ports where they are registered, for distribution.
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