http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/5fbce37fd868037b986a9adc40261c5b.pdf 5366ca756c4c3994febdc0c14bb6537a PDF Text Text Speaking Before the MTD Convention Administration, Congress and Military Officials: r • Key legislators, administration officials and military officers pledged their support in the effort to enact a new U.S. shipping program to ensure American sealift capability in times of conflict and to promote economic security. Speaking to the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department were, from the top, clockwise, Transportation Secretary Federico Pena, Vice Admiral William A. Earner, Representative Herbert H. Bateman, Maritime Administrator Albert Herberger, Representative Charles Rangel, Representative Neil Abercrombie and New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Pages 11-14. �2 SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 President's Report Nuevo San Juan Crewmembers Fighting a New Anti-U.S.-Worker Scheme Up to now, to escape American labor laws and pay scales, U.S. businesses have located factories overseas. In the shipping industry, American operators have transferred their vessels to bargain-basement ship registries operated by cash-starved nations, thereby bypassing American taxes, safety regulations and wage rates. Traditionally, to avoid paying American scales, companies have had to transfer production offshore by some means. That is changing. A loophole in the nation's immigration laws lets American companies avoid paying American scale salaries and benefits by Michael Sacco hiring skilled professionals from around the globe and bringing them to the United States. Instead of transferring production overseas, the companies simply import their cheap labor to work in the U.S. Here's an example of what is happening: A Washington Post article recently reported that a giant insurance company based in New York laid off 250 of its computer programmers in New York, New Jersey and New Hampshire, replacing them with temporary workers from India. Of course the so-called temporary programmers from India worked for a fraction of what the 250 American computer professionals earned. The same article reports that a Chinese company has offered to provide software companies with Chinese computer programmers willing to work for $500 a r.1onth in jobs held by Americans being paid $5,000 per month. The reason U.S. companies can get away with this practice is an immigration law. On the books is a provision that allows skilled workers in specialty occupations to enter the United States under "non-jmmigrant" status. The purpose of the law is to allow scientists, engineers, programmers and others to come to the U.S. in order to lend their particular expertise to an American company. But what was supposed to be a rarely used practice to allow American businesses to hire the world's best and brightest on a temporary basis has become a scam for importing thousands of workers from countries where individuals will work for a fraction of American wages. Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich has asked Congress to close this loophole by preventing businesses from hiring foreign professionals to replace laid-off American workers. The administration's plan deserves the support of Congress and the American public. While this loophole affects professional employees, if allowed to stand, it establishes a dangerous trend for all workers. Imagine the impact on American jobs if companies are allowed to import individuals from lesser developed countries to take on factory jobs, service work or, closer to home, transportation positions such as truckers, airline pilots, railroad engineers and boatmen. No longer will American companies have to go offshore to escape U.S. scale wages, benefits and working conditions. By importing foreign labor willing to work for wages a scrap of what Americans earn, U.S. companies could continue to enjoy the advantages of being based in the U.S., close to their markets, while reaping the benefits of paying foreign wage rates. The SIU will be working with the AFL-CIO and its Maritime Trades Department as well as many unions to try and close this immigration loophole before it spreads. The security of all American workers is at stake. Working With New AFL-CIO Officers Last month, the delegates to the AFL-CIO convention in New York City elected John J. Sweeney as the national labor federation's president, Richard Trumka as secretary-treasurer and Linda Chavez-Thompson as executive vice president. I have worked for several years with each of them on the AFLCIO Executive Council and know them all to be truly dedicated to the cause of all working men and women. All of us in the SIU look forward to working with them in their new roles. Also, we extend our best wishes to Thomas Donahue and Barbara Easterling for their hard work and commitment as they leave the president and secretary-treasurer's positions. Volume 57, Number 11 November 1995 The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 0160-2047) is published monthly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District; AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone(301) 899-0675. Second-class postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998 and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Managing Editor, Daniel Duncan; Associate Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Associate Editors, Jordan Biscardo and Corrina Christensen Gutierrez; Art, Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne Textor. Help Kids' Dreams Come True When it comes to helping children, especially children in the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Hospital Pediactrico Central in San Juan, P.R. during the holidays, SIU members have been very generous. A Seafarers LOG article last year (October 1994) reported on the many acts of kindness performed by SIU crewmembers aboard theNuevo San Juan of the Navieras NPR Inc. fleet, whose vessels are operated and managed by NPR, Inc. According to a recent letter from the ship's chief steward, K.L. Marchand, the efforts have grown and have had a real impact on the lives of some very sick children. ·How It Began NPR, Inc. had, for many years, held an annual fundraising drive to collect money for toys for children in the hospital. But in October 1993, Capt. E. Powell of the Nuevo San Juan and Santiago Carrero, terminal manager at NPR, Inc., thought about ways to increase donations. Realizing that children are in the hospital every day, they initiated a year-round program which has become "Amigos de los Ninos" (friends of the children), and has grown into a non-profit foundation that allows for tax deductible donations. Crewmembers aboard the Nuevo San Juan joined Powell's effort, each pitching in a portion of his salary (usually one hour of premium overtime per pay period) to purchase toys, clothing, medical equipment and other the campaign provisions. spread, first And to crews on other NPR, Inc. vessels and then to the shoregangs in Elizabeth, NJ. and San Juan, P.R. much," he noted. And so a Thanksgiving Day party has been planned for this year in addition to the annual Christmas party. Marchand has seen the results of this program to help sick children. "I didn't really realize how far a little help can go until I sawitwithmyowneyes,"hesaid. "Doctors and staff members from the intensive care unit at the hospital recently were invited aboard the Nuevo San Juan for lunch. I must say, [the vessel] was filled with smiling faces and gratitude to everyone," the chief steward related. Marchand said that as the Some of the "Amigos de las guests were leaving, they all came Niflos" aboard the Nuevo San by the galley and personally Juan are (above, from left) Chief thanked the steward department Steward K.L. Marchand, Chief for the delicious food, good ser- Cook B.T. McEleney and (below) vice and help given to the hospi- AB Edmundo D. Cruz. tal. "It was a great feeling to know that we can make a difference if we stop to look around to see how we can help," the chief steward said. It is hoped the campaign will grow and continue to spread to other ships in the SIU. Anyone interested in helping expand the scope of the "Amigos de los Ninos" campaign may contact Santiago Carrero at NPR, Inc. at GPO Box 71306, San Juan, PR 00936. In the New York area, one may contact Edward Powell, 253 Princeton Dr., River Edge, NJ 07661; telephone (201) 3420231. ------------------------ I Congress Ready to Rev1·e·w Bl.II Allow1·ng Alaskan 01·1 Exports Aboard U.S. Sh1·ps �NOVEMBER 1995 SEAFARERS LOG 3 Senate O.K. s Funds For U.S. Ship Bill 1 The U.S. Senate took a major step in passing a 10-year maritime revitalization program when it approved funds for the first year of the measure. By a voice vote on September 29, legislators approved an amendment offered by Senators Trent Lott (R-Miss.), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and John Breaux (D-La.) to provide $46 million within a Fiscal Year 1996 appropriations bill to be used for a U.S.-flag ship program, which is being supported by the SIU. The vote by the Senate was the first time since Photo by Bill Burke/Page One After addressing their goals of organizing more workers, newly elected maritime revitalization legislation was introduced AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, Executive VP Linda Chavez- in 1992 that money actually has been appropriated Thompson and Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka receive the ac- for the measure. The funds were included in an colades of delegates to the 1995 national labor federation convention. appropriations bill for the Departments of Commerce, Justice and State and the U.S. Judiciary. (Although the merchant marine and U.S. Maritime Administration fall under the purview of the Departrnent of Transportation, maritime funding comes within the commerce appropriations bill.) Sweeney Elected AFL-CIO President Sacco Re-Elected to Council John J. Sweeney became the fourth president of the AFL-CIO on October 25 when he was elected to the position during the 21st constitutional convention of the national labor federation held last month in New York City. Sweeney, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), defeated Thomas Donahue with 56 percent of the more than 13 million votes cast on October 25. Donahue had served as president of the AFLCIO since Lane Kirkland retired in August. Besides Sweeney, convention delegates elected Richard Trumka as the federation's secretarytreasurer and Linda ChavezThompson to hold the newly created constitutional position of executive vice president. Delegates approved another change in the federation's constitution, increasing from 33 to 51 the number of people who will serve on the AFL-CIO executive council. SIU President Michael Sacco retained his seat on the council. (He was first elected an AFLCIO vice president in 1991.) Immediately following his election as the head of the AFLCI O, Sweeney called for unity within the labor movement in order to fight for causes important to all working Americans. "To the more than 13 million workers we represent and to the millions more who are not represented, our commitment is firm and clear. When you struggle for justice, you will not struggle alone," Sweeney told the convention. Among Sweeney's priorities as president will be organizing. During his campaign for the position, he outlined a program to spend more money on organizing and to train more people to work in the field to bring non-union shops and workers into the AFLCIO. "I'm here to tell you that the most important thing we can do starting right now, today, is to organize every working woman and man who needs a better deal and a new voice," the newly elected AFL-CIO president said. Sweeney also noted the need for state and local central labor councils to be more involved in the federation's work. He pointed out these councils serve as the AFL-CIO's grassroots workers and should be an active part of the federation's efforts. Sweeney began his labor career in the Ladies' Garment Workers Union immediately after graduating from Iona College with a degree in economics. In 1960, he became contract director for SEIU Local 32B. After rising through the local, Sweeney became its president in 1976. The following year, Local 32B merged with Local 32J to create a 70,000-member local of which Sweeney served as president. In 1980, the New York City native was elected president of the entire SEIU. The next year, he became a member of the AFLCIO executive council. Trumka, 46, defeated Barbara Easterling in balloting for the position of secretary-treasurer. Easterling, the first woman to hold the position, was named as secretary-treasurer in August when Donahue moved up to replace Kirkland. A third-generation coal miner from southwest Pennsylvania, Trumka went to work in the mines when he was 19 and was active in Local 6290 of the United Mine Workers (UMWA). Following his graduation from Penn State and earning a law degree at Villanova University, he worked on the UMWA's legal staff for four years. Trumka went back to the mines in 1978 and was elected to the union's executive board in 1981. A year later, he became the union's president, a position he held at the time of his election as AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer. Chavez-Thompson became the federation's first executive vice president after delegates to the convention approved creation of the post in the AFL-CIO' s constitution. She began her 27-year career in the labor movement as a local secretary in Texas for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). She worked her way through the union's ranks and was elected an AFSCME vice president in 1988. Chavez-Thompson, 50, became the AFL-CIO's first Hispanic woman vice president when she was elected to the executive council in 1993. Goes to Conference The funding bill now goes to a joint HouseSenate conference committee. A similar House appropriations bill did not include money for maritime revitalization. Under the rules of the Congress, the conference committee may accept the Senate or the House version, or it may take pieces of both and craft its own legislation. The compromise bill is then presented to both chambers for their approval before it goes to the president for his signature or veto. President Clinton has stated he is in favor of maritime revitalization; however, other measures in the multi-billion-dollar appropriations bill could cause him to veto the measure which would force Congress to create a new piece of legislation. Although the federal fiscal year of 1996 began on October 1, Congress has not completed work on all the appropriations bills. Congress approved a continuing resolution in September to operate the government through November 15 using Fiscal Year 1995 funding levels. In August, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee _marked up S. 1139, while the House version (H.R. 1350) cleared the National Security Committee in May. Both bills call for a 10-year, $1 billion program to fund approximately 50 militarily useful U.S.-flag containerships. However, neither of these bills actually appropriated any money; they only outlined the program. Both S. 1139 and H.R. 1350 are pending consideration by their respective chambers. In order for Congress to create the maritime revitalization program, it must pass both an authorizations bill (like H.R. 1350 and S. 1139) and an appropriations bill. The legislators are working on both these measures. The Senate approved the $46 million for FY '96 following a vigorous floor debate in which legislators from both parties promoted the U.S.-flag merchant marine. After stating maritime revitalization is needed, Lott, the chairman of the Senate Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Subcommittee, noted, "From the sea battles of the American Revolution through the Persian Gulf, our seafarers and merchant marine courageously supplied and sustained our troops in combat and conflict. "In times of national emergency or war, I want to know that we will continue the finest tradition of the U.S.-flag fleet and merchant marine-secure in the knowledge that our sealift capability is assured and confident that our troops will be supplied." Provide Jobs In announcing his support for the measure, Inouye stated maritime revitalization would provide jobs for American mariners while aiding the nation's economic and national security. "This is a bargain," he told his fellow senators. "This has bipartisan support. It is a popular program. It is an American program." Maryland's Barbara Mikulski said the maritime revitalization program follows her belief "in public/private cooperation to encourage govemBipartisan Support ment savings: "It provides a rainy day maritime infrastructure Prior to the Senate's approval of funds within the commerce appropriations bill, committees in both the for U.S. defense needs while, at the same time, HouseandSenatehadexpressedtheirbipartisansup- stimulating private sector enterprise," the port for creating a maritime revitalization program. Democrat noted. MTD Delegates Call for Passage Of Maritime Revitalization Effort The need for Congress to pass a maritime revitalization bill was the primary theme of speakers addressing the delegates to the 1995 biennial convention of the AFLCIO Maritime Trades Department (MTD) in New York on October 19 and 20. For more about the Maritime TradesDepartmentconvention, f:s~~':f,~~1 k!~~~~i~ Lida.this .....__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____. America's cabotage laws, extension of veterans benefits to all World War II-era merchant mariners, promotion of a U.S.flag cruise industry and protection for America's commercial fishermen. Convention delegates also received updates from officials of various unions on the plight of striking workers at sites across America. They heard about battles for good-paying jobs, decent benefits and safe working conditions still being waged in Decatur, Ill. by the Auto Workers union against Caterpillar, by the Paperworkers union against Staley and by the Rubber Workers union against Bridgestone/Firestone. They also listeµed as representatives from the Machinists union told about the strike against Boeing, and Detroit's newspaper workers explained the situation against the Michigan city's journals. Through resolutions, the delegates called on Congress and the administration to honor the protections and hard-won benefits provided for American workers at their job sites. The call for a U.S. ship bill came from administration officials, the military and members of Congress. Among those making the case for the U.S.-flag merchant marine were U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Pefia, Maritime Administrator Albert Herberger, House Merchant Marine Panel Chairman Herbert H. Bateman (R-Va.), New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Representatives Neil Abercrombie (DHawaii) and Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Vice Admiral William A. Earner, head of the U.S. Navy's logistics operations. The delegates to the two-day convention, who represented the 40 unions and 28 port councils that make up the MTD, also New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani outlines his plans to revitalize the debated and passed resolutions city's port facilities during his address at the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades calling for the retention of Department biennial convention. �4 SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 New USCG Tankerman Regulations Affect ABs, Pumpmen and Inland Tankermen Boatmen with tankerman ratings and unlicensed seamen who assist in tanker cargo operations are affected by recently issued U.S. Coast Guard regulations that require new tankerman' s endorsements. After March 31, 1997, merchant mariners who renew their z-cards and who need one of the four new tankermen endorsements must show proof of satisfactorily completing a Coast Guard-approved tankerman assistant or tankerman-person in charge (PIC) course. This includes all unlicensed mariners involved in the handling, transfer and transportation of oil and other hazardous liquid cargoes aboard ships and barges. parts involved in transport and transfer of hazardous materials, tankermen who renew their zcards after March 31, 1997 must show evidence of satisfactorily completing either a Coast Guardapproved tankerman-PIC (barge) course or an approved tankerman course. Passage of the four-week tankerman course (not to be confused with the tanker operation/safety course) offered at the Paul Hall Center meets this requirement. Defines Qualifications Published in April as an interim final rule, the new regulation requiring the tankermen endorsements defines qualifications of tank:ermen and other seamen involved in cargo operations. The Key Grandfather Clause rule requires such mariners to obHowever, effective March 31, tain from a Coast Guard-approved 19%, unlicensed personnel as- testing facility one of the following sisting with tanker cargo opera- four endorsements: tankermantions (ABs and pumpmen) must PIC (barge), restricted tankerhold the new endorsement of man-PIC (barge), tankermantankerman assistant. Mariners assistant or tankerman-engineer. can secure that endorsement by Mariners will have to meet standshowing proof of having sailed at ards established by the Coast least 30 days aboard tankers in the Guard (with input from the inpast five years, between April 1, dustry) for amounts of ex1991 and March 31, 1996 (this is perience, completion of training considered a grandfather courses and physical fitness in provision). The endorsement then order to obtain such certification. would be added to the z-card, According to the regulation, which automatically would be the Coast Guard no longer will renewed. conduct tankerman exams. InBy contrast, inland mariners stead, the agency will certify currently endorsed as tankermen schools (such as the Paul Hall automatically will become Center's Harry Lundeberg tankermen-PICs as of March 31, School of Seamanship) and pos1996. Like their deep sea counter- sibly operators to give the tests. --------------------------. SIU Opposes Fees Attached To Tankerman Endorsements The SIU challenged the U.S. Coast Guard's plan to charge boatmen and seamen a fee to modify their current merchant mariner's documents with the newly-required tankerman endorsement. In a communication to the agency, the SIU asked that the Coast Guard not charge seamen and boatmen the $80 (unlicensed) and $95 (licensed) fees assigned to the new endorsement. (Since the Coast Guard instituted so-called user fees for the issuance of merchant mariner's documents and marine documents in 1993, the SIU has fought the measure in the U.S. courts. At this time, the SIU's law suit against the user fees is before the U.S. Court of Appeals.) In a letter to Coast Guard Captain George N accara, deputy chief, Office of Marine Safety/Security and Environmental Protection, Bill Eglinton, director of vocational education at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, pointed out that qualified deep sea mariners who recently renewed their z-cards and who need any of the new tankerman' s endorsements will need to use the grandfather provision to secure the endorsements and, therefore, will incur the fees involved with updating their zcard, even if they recently renewed their document. ''The grandfathering provision will allow them to receive these endorsements based solely on prior sailing knowledge and experience. However, they will be required to have these endorsements placed on their documents at a cost of $80 (unlicensed) or $95 (licensed), even if the mariner recently paid to have his document renewed! This is absolutely unfair," wrote Eglinton. "In order to alleviate this unfair financial burden, the SIU requests the Coast Guard accept one of two alternatives," Eglinton continued. "The first would have the Coast Guard consider the issuance of these newly required endorsements as part of the renewal process left over from when the mariner renewed his or her document. Retroactively, the issuance fee from that procedure would cover [the issuance of the new endorsements]. ''The second option would require the regional examination centers to provide qualified applicants with letters certifying the seafarer for the new endorsement(s) until that document expires." Additionally, the union requested that the Lundeberg School's four-week tanker operation/safety course be considered valid for obtaining any of the new ratings, either via the grandfather clause or when a mariner renews his or her z-card after March 31, 1997. At press time, the Coast Guard had not rendered a decision on these matters. In another change from the current system, the new tankerrnan tests will include practical (handson) testing, so that mariners will have to demonstrate their skills in transferring liquid cargoes. quids course, a 40-hour tankship/liquified gases course, a 40-hour tank barge/dangerous liquids course, a 40-hour tank barge/liquified gases course and a 16-hour firefighting course. The Coast Guard has proposed the following courses (a tankerman would need to take one or more, depending upon which type of vessel he or she sails): a 40-hour tankship/dangerous Ii- The rule stems from the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90), the Port and Tanker Safety Act of 1980 and amendments to the International Convention of the Standards for Training, Certifica- tion and Watchkeeping (STCW), to which the United States is a signatory nation. Its intent is to improve safety in the handling, transfer and transport of hazardous liquid cargoes. According to the Coast Guard, the agency's Regional Examination Centers are ready to begin issuing the tank:erman assistant endorsement to those individuals presenting 30 days of seatime aboard tankers in the last five years. Next month's edition of the Seafarers LOG will provide more detailed information on the new regulations and the procedures for compliance. Delta Queen Head Denounces Attacks On U.S.-Flag Passenger Ship Laws Attacks on the U.S. Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 and other U.S. laws orchestrated by foreign-flag interests threaten to throttle a potentially burgeoning American-flag passenger vessel industry, the head of the U.S.-flag American Classic Voyages told members of the Washington Propeller Club last month. BY contrast, the U ·S ·-flag cruise ship business "not only can exist, but also grow and thrive undercurrentU.S.passengervessel laws," stated Philip Callan, president and CEO of the company, which operates five U.S.flag passenger vessels. U.S. Cruise Industry Can Grow American Classic Voyages is the parent company of The Delta Queen Steamboat Co. (which operates the SIU-contracted riverboats American Queen, Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen) as well as American Hawaii Cruises (which operates the Seafarers-crewed cruise ships SS Independence and SS Constitution). "We have proven that the U.S.-flag passenger vessel industry is capable of functioning and growing within existing laws," Calian stated at the luncheon, which took place on Capitol Hill. "We pay our crews U.S. wage rates, we use U.S. shipyards and we still provide our shareholders with a return on their investment. "But [proposed changes to the Passenger Vessel Services Act and other laws] would force us into an arena where the rules are so biased in favor of foreign-flag companies, we and our 2,000 employees could never survive. All we ask is an even playing field" Approximately 130 foreignflag passenger ships call on U.S. ports, many on a year-round basis. That number is expected to grow in the near future. With these formidable resources, foreign cruise lines have launched an aggressive campaign aimed at the following: • Amending U.S. laws in order to operate without restriction between U.S. ports utilizing foreign subsidy-built, untaxed floating resorts; • Allowing U.S. tax deductions for business meetings taking place on foreign-flag ships, even if the vessels never call on a U.S. port; • Limiting passenger lawsuits and eliminating current access to U.S. courts by foreign crewmembers; • Exempting foreign-flag employees (U.S. citizens or foreigners) from withholding taxes on wages earned in U.S. waters; and • Exempting foreign-flag operations from fair-hiring, accommodation laws and regulations that apply to all U.S. hoteliers and travel-service providers. With lower capital costs, cheap foreign labor in many positions and no federal corporate tax, these foreign vessels would be able to sail into any U.S. port during the peak tourist season and seriously undercut not only hotel and resort business in coastal communities, but also U.S. leisure destinations farther within the country-only to sail away at season's end. Legislation already has been introduced in the House to expand tax breaks for foreign-flag ships, and other legislation is being drafted to repeal the Passenger Vessel Services Act. Foreign Passenger Ships Get Breaks The act prohibits foreign-flag vessels from transporting passengers between U.S. ports. (The U.S. also has similar laws regarding domestic passenger travel by air, rail and road.) It was passed by Congress in 1886. Foreign-flag cruise ship operators already enjoy an exemption of sorts from the Passenger Services Act, in that the U.S. Customs Service (the agency responsible for interpreting U.S. cabotage laws) has ruled that foreign-flag cruise vessels may carry passengers on so-called "cruises to nowhere" (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port and do not sail to any other port). Taking advantage of this ruling, numerous foreign-flag gaming vessels are operating in the lucrative and expanding U.S. cruise-to-nowhere market. In fact, the fleet of foreign-flag cruise ships-supported by massive foreign government shipbuilding subsidies-that call on U .S. ports steadily has grown during the past 15 years. None of those vessels pay U.S. corporate or gaming taxes. With a reported investment of at least $8.5 billion for ships on order, foreign cruise lines need new itineraries and markets for their ships. The U.S. remains the prime target. Hence, the lnternational Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL)-the registered foreign agentwhichlobbiesintheUnited States for foreign cruise-ship companies-has publicly stated its objective of seeking changes to U.S. cabotage laws as well as Philip Calian, president of American Classic Voyages, says his company "has proven that the U.S.-flag passenger vessel industry is capable of growing under existing laws." expanding tax breaks to allow foreign cruise ships to host conventions. "All cruise lines with operations in the U.S. should pay U.S. taxes," said Callan. "They should be subject to :U.S. labor laws, U.S. construction laws, U.S. environmental laws, and U.S. health and safety laws. "As long as foreign-flag cruise lines aren't subject to those laws, they shouldn't be allowed to operate in U.S. waters. They don't want to play by our rules, and they haven't had to, to date." American Classic Voyages Invests in Future Callan recounted the painstaking steps taken by American Classic Voyages during the past nine years to improve their products and services while substantially increasing the number of passengers. He noted that the company has invested approximately $75 million to refurbish the Independence and soon the Constitution. Millions more were spent to upgrade the Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen. And, earlier this year, the company launched the American Queen-the world's largest riverboat,builtatanapproximatecostof $65 million. The American Queen is the first overnight cruise vessel built in the U.S. in 37 years. If the foreign-flag interests succeed in reworking U.S. laws affecting passenger ships, "we will be delivering an entire industry that we have built to foreign companies who have made no investment," said Callan. "We want our industry, we want our jobs. Please, don't legislate us from rescuing and revitalizing this industry." �SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 5 Seafarers Aid V.I. Hurricane Victims Thousands of UIW Members' Homes Destroyed, Face High Losses The "Brotherhood of the Sea" has sprung into action to aid victims of Hurricane Marilyn, which demolished the U.S. Virgin Islands on September 16. The deadly storm left thousands of members of the United Industrial Workers (UIW), an SIU affiliate union, with severely damaged or destroyed homes and property. (The UIW represents 4,000 government and private sector employees who reside on the islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John.) Additionally, at press time, no word had been obtained as to how the seamen who make their homes in the U.S. Virgin Islands had fared during the storm. To date, members of the SIU and the UIW-as well as their contracted companies-have col1ec te d an abundance of humanitarian aid to help the victims of Marilyn's brutality. Relief Efforts Under Way Seafarers in Philadelphia and Santurce, P.R. are conducting relief drives to secure food items, building materials and other much needed supplies for UIW members whose lives have been turned around following the hurricane. In Philadelphia, union memhers have been busy filling a container, donated by Crowley American Transport, with thousands of gallons of bottled water as well as batteries, flashlights, clothing and other relief items to ship to the Virgin Islands. San Juan Port Agent Steve Ruiz noted that Seafarers from the port of Santurce have been loading barges provided by Crowley to transport the relief supplies to St. Thomas and St. Croix, the two islands which took the brunt of the damage. A number of UIW-contracted companies from around the country also have donated food and water to union members on the devastated islands. arrived in St. Thomas to deliver equipment and supplies to aid in the cleanup of the battered island. TheSIU-crewedTransoceanic Cable Ship, the Charles E. Brown, sailed from St. Thomas on September 13 to ride out Hurricane Marilyn at sea Upon the ship's return to St. Thomas, the crew of the cable ship has been working to rebuild the telephone and communications systems on the island as well as providing water and other supplies to those affected by Marilyn. Sea-Land, Navieras NPR, Inc. and Crowley also have donated plywood, water and non-perishable foods to help aid the Caribbean island residents rebuild their homes and businesses. Companies Ship Supplies Marilyn Mangled Islands Many SIU-contracted shipping companies also have been instrumental in the relief effort. The day before Hurricane Marilyn slammed into St. Croix, the OM/ Star was discharging cargo in the island's port. The tanker was ordered out to sea to escape the storm. AB Gabriel I. Bonefont was aboard the vessel during that voyage and saw the devastation on the island upon the ship's return to St. Croix 18 hours later. "lt was incredible," said Bonefont. "You couldn't tell where the wind had stopped and the mud slides had begun. There was damage everywhere." In the weeks since Hurricane Marilyn, the OM/ Star has returned to the Virgin Islands with cases of food and water to help those who have been affected by the storm. Other SIU-contracted shipping companies that have been involved in the relief efforts includeOceanShipholdings,Inc.of Houston, which has sent 80 cases of canned food, and American Overseas of Quincy, Mass., which donated five pallets of various goods. A week after the storm hit. the SIU-crewed Maersk Constellation Hurricane Marilyn had sustained winds of more than 115 miles per hour when the most destructive part of the storm swept over St. Thomas. Marilyn also damaged property on St. Croix and St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as parts of Puerto Rico. The U.S. Virgin Islands lost power, phone service and water. St. Thomas and St. Croix have not yet had their utilities fully restored. Estimates put the damage on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, including economic losses from Hurricane Marilyn, at $3.5 billion-twice the estimated loss from Hurricane Hugo (which devastated the islands in 1989). President Clinton declared the Virgin Islands a disaster area, which made that area eligible for federal emergency aid. . The U.S. Virgin Islands is home to 4,000 members of the SIU's affiliated union, the United Industrial Workers (UIW). The Septem~er 16 hurricane passed directly over St. Thomas, leaving thousands with homes that were damaged or destroyed. UIW members on that island report extensive damage that will take months to clean up. Vast Devastation Eighty-five percent of the St. Thomas Hospital, where a number of UIW members are employed, was destroyed. A 104bed U.S. Army combat hospital has been set up on the island to house patients while parts of the medical facility are rebuilt. Ten people died as a result of Hurricane Marilyn: five on St. John, three on St. Thomas and two on St. Croix. St. Thomas, home to 51,000 residents, was completely flattened by Hurricane Marilyn. Amos Peters, vice president of the UIW' s Caribbean region, said, "You have to understand. At least 90 percent of the residents of this · island have sustained major damage to their homes. Most homes are inhabitable. There are many, many more who have completely lost everything. We have been devastated." Peters noted that plywood, tarpaulins and nails are some of the most needed materials on St. Thomas. (See accompanying list on this page.) Both the St. Thomas and the St. Croix UIW halls suffered minor damage. The UIW office on St. Croix was back in operation after losing power and phone service for about one week. The St. Thomas hall, like most of the island, is still without electricity, water and phone service. Peters stated that the union hall remains open during daylight hours and is providing whatever assistance possible to UIW memhers who have been destroyed by Hurricane Marilyn. "We're in a very serious position," Peters said. ''The majority oftheislandiswithoutpowerand telephone. We're really hurting on St. Thomas." UIW Representative James Bennerson estimated that more than a dozen UIW members on St. Croix lost their homes. He reported that "people are back to work, though not under normal conditions-the majority of people are helping in the cleanup of the island." It will take months just to clear all the debris left by fallen trees and collapsed buildings on St. Thomas, said Peters. More than 80 percent of the housing and buildings on St. Thomas have been destroyed, and the economy is not expected to recover for quite some time. # At the SIU hall in Santurce, P.R., Seafarers unload relief supplies sent to the hall to aid UIW members living on the U.S. Virgin Islands who were affected by Hurricane Marilyn. From the left are Mechanic Rene Pedraza, OS Jorge Borges and QMED John Lange Virgin Islands Seeks Donations of Goods Approximately 4,000 members of the United Industrial Workers (UIW), an SIU affiliate union, live on the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. John, St. Croix and St. Thomas, which were devastated by Hurricane Marilyn in September. The following items, compiled by UIW Caribbean Vice President Amos Peters, are needed by union members whose homes were badly damaged or completely destroyed by the storm. To contribute any of the items listed below, please bring the donated goods to an SIU haJI. The union will arrange to have the items shipped to SIU and UIW members on the islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. Urgently Needed Items Towels Insect repellant Medicine - Insulin Pots and pans Buckets Toothpaste Toilet Paper Heavy duty extension cords Plywood Nails Other Needed Items Baby food. diapers and formula Glass for window repairs Refrigerators Nonperishable food items Stoves Generators Dinin~ room sets Clothes (both children and T elev1sions adult sizes) Curtains Shoes Rugs Flashlights Tiles Batteries Cribs Lamp Oil Dressing Tables Mattresses Night Stands Linens Water Propane Stoves Lanterns/lamps Blankets Radios Soap/detergents Tarpaunns Washing machines and dryers �.------------------ ........- -- - - - -·- 6 -· -- SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 Barer Calls Jones Act Attacks 'Dangerous and Flawed' Totem Executive Says Cabotage Ltlw Valuable Component of U.S. Transportation Proclaiming that one of the major functions of any nation is to provide domestic job opportunities for the citizens of that nation, the head of Totem Resources Corporation blasted recent efforts to repeal the nation' s cabotage laws as "ill-conceived, dangerous and deeply flawed." Stanley H. Barer, co-chairman and CEO of Totem Resources, presented his remarks October 17 to the annual meeting of the American Association of Port Authorities. (A subsidiary firm of Totem Resources is the SIU-contracted Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE), which provides roll-on/roll-off service between the U.S. Pacific Northwest and Alaska.) In his address, Barer outlined many of the positive aspects provided by the Jones Act, the 1920 law that calls for cargo transported between two domestic ports to be carried on U.S.flag , U.S.-crewed and U.S.-built vessels. Provides Jobs and Taxes He pointed out that vessels covered by the Jones Act provide jobs for more than 120,000 U.S. citizens, including 80,000 inland, Great Lakes and deep sea crewmembers, all of whom pay federal, state and local taxes. All of this would be lost if the Jones Act were removed and foreign-flag vessels with foreign crews were allowed to sail America's waterways. Also, Barer noted that the foreign companies and their crews would be exempt from "the National Labor Relations Act, federal hours of service requirements, child labor laws, Coast Guard safety regulations, the U.S. Civil Rights laws, our national laws relating to health insurance, pension and other benefits and all other state and federal legal requirements, such as OSHA, environmental regulations, etc." Wages Comparable Stanley H. Barer outlined the many positive effects of the Jones Act on the U.S. economy during the recent meeting of the American Association of Port Authorities. He is pictured above when he was the guest speaker at the Paul Hall Memorial Lecture in May. ing, communications, health care, education and, I guess, we could even fire all of our government workers and bring in low-cost people to work in our government and to man our armed forces." Source of Attacks More than 500 members of Sugar Workers Union Local No. 1., an affiliate of the SIU, returned to work last month following a month-long strike against the California and Hawaii (C&H) Sugar Company in Crockett, Calif. Union members voted 164 to 152 to end the walkout and accept a new three-year contract after management withdrew take-away demands first presented to the workers in negotiations. Louie Benavidez, the union's business agent, said all of the Sugar Workers regained their jobs after the picket line came down. "We look at the company's withdrawing its demands for a two-tier wage system and reductions on medical and pension benefits as a victory," Benavidez told the Seafarers LOG. "We are happy to be back at work." On September 8, union members rejected a contract proposal that called for a three-year wage freeze, a more than 100 percent increase in employees' insurance premium payments, elimination of retiree medical benefits, and a reduction in wages and benefits for new hires. When C&H refused to withdraw the take-aways, union members overwhelmingly voted to strike. Members of the International Longshoremen Warehousemen's Union honored the picket lines in the walkout. The previous agreement expired on May 31, but the union members worked through the summer while negotiations continued. The C&H employees work as machine operators, packers, sugar boilers and maintenance personnel. �SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 7 New SIU Office Opens In Port Everglades, Fla. South Florida Seafarers now have a new facility where they can go to talce care of union business. The new office, located at 1221 South Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, officially opened its doors to SIU members on October 2, when renovations were completed. Seafarers will be able to file their vacation, health and pension paperwork at the office. The facility also is set up to provide Seafarers with the their clinic cards. However, the nearest hiring hall still is located in Jacksonville, Fla. Situated approximately five miles from the old SIU office in Dania, Aa., the building was selected because of its location. Only blocks from downtown Fort Lauderdale, the office also is conveniently located just minutes from Port Everglades, the airport, rail service and other mass transit systems. ''It is in an excellent location for Seafarers," said SIU Representative ----.......,...,~"""' Ambrose Cucinotta. "There is ample parking, and the building itself is in good condition. Everyone seems to really like it." Seafarers helped get the building ready for business. They put up walls, cleaned carpets, painted and plastered. The old lettering on the front of the building had to be talcen down and the Seafarers International Union logo put in its place. Minor construction and landscaping chores also were done by SIU members. ving gfass from a s booth in the former insurance office is OMU Tom Goldsbmy. Laying down joint compound for the creation of a wall in the new facility is QMED James Broderick. OMEO E~it MUHiS in~ stalls a new vent fan.. motor in the mech.. anical room of the Port Everglades office. AB Jeff Gilbert removes the old sign from the front of the Fort Lauderdale building. After landscaping the grounds surrounding the new office, AB Mike Williams sweeps up the hedge clippings. Helping renovations are, from left, Bosun Edward Doruth, SIU Rep. Before the opening of the Ambrose Cucinotta new SIU office, AB Mark and AB Jeff Gilbert. Ramsey repairs a window. At the counter of the new SIU facility in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., SIU Representative Ambrose Cucinotta (right) helps Cook/Baker Leon Grant make travel arrangements to the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, �.....----~----~--~----~~~~- --- ~-----------------------------.......~ B SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 Safety Drills: Standard Fare ·Aboard SIU-Crewed Ranger W eeldy lifeboat and fire drills are held aboard the Ranger to ensure the readiness of the crew in case of an emergency. Chief Steward Neville Johnson, who took the photos accompanying this article, noted that the Ranger crewmembers also attend regularly scheduled safety meetings where they are updated on the latest regulations governing Seafarers who sail aboard tankers. At the time the below photos were taken, the OMI Corp. tanker was en route to Puerto Cabello, Venezuela with approximately 34,000 tons of soybean and sunfloweroil. After partially discharging the vegetable oil in Venezuela, the ship then sailed for Columbia and Guatemala, where the balance of the cargo was offloaded. Captain Mike Herbein, master onboard the Ranger, complimented the crew for a smooth voyage. "Crewmembers were very cooperative and got along excellently," the captain told the Seafarers LOG. Celebrating the ratification by Seafarers of a new three-year pact between the SIU and Higman Towing are negotiating team members, from left, Houston Port Agent Jim McGee, Tankerman Mark Elmore, SIU Rep. Don Anderson and Captain Chris Spivey. Not pictured is Captain Mike _M_c_N_e_e_le_y_ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Higman SIU Members Ratify Three-Year Pact Seafarers who navigate Higman Towing tugboats and barges along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway have ratified a new contract that improves wages, benefits and working conditions into the year 1998. Included in the new pact is a first-time provision to provide a bonus to Seafarers based on their years of service to Higman Towing. "For each year of service the members have sailed with Higman, they will receive a yearly bonus," noted SIU Houston Port Agent Jim McGee. "While the longevity pay bonus has a threeyear service requirement. it benefits not only those members who have been with the company for 30-plus years, but also those who have recently begun their inland sailing care~rs," added McGee, who served on the union's negotiation comnuttee. "We reached a very fair and equitable contract that benefits us all. We gained a lot of things that we deserve," said Captain Chris Spivey, who also was a member of the negotiating team. Within the new agreement were significant wage increases throughout the life of the three- year agreement, outpatient care for dependents of SIU members and pension improvements. The contract-which began Fire and lifeboat drills are a regular part of shipboard life aboard the Ranger. Pictured at left during a October 1-also made vast im- recent safety drill are crewmembers (kneeling, from left) Bosun Daniel Laitinen Jr., AB Albert Ellis, provements in working condi- (standing, from left) Chief Mate Thomas Conlon, OMU Al Hickman, AB Jesus Vergar, Chief Pump-man Ray Prim, 1st Ass. Eng. Joe Mahar and AB Austin Howard. tions for the Seafarers. In calling the contract between Higman and the union "one of the finest contracts in the inland industry," SIU Executive Vice President Joseph Sacco noted that the gains made in the new agreement can be used as a "springboard for other SIU inland contracts." Negotiations between the Houston-based company and the union began in August and concluded September 29. Besides McGee and Spivey, SIU negotiators for the Higman contract included Union Representative Don Anderson, Captain Mike McNeeley and Tankerman Mark Elmore. "They were good, hard and long negotiations. In the end, we Standing on the stern of the Ranger fol- After a safety drill aboard the Ranger, Chief Steward Neville were all able to come up with a lowing a fire and lifeboat drill is SA Arnulfo Johnson (left) and Chief Cook Stephanie Smith stand on contract that benefitted Lacayo. deck for a photo before returning to the galley. everyone," concluded McGee. Seafarers crew Higman· s 18 tugboats which transport petroleum products primarily between Corpus Christi, Texas and Mobile, Ala. SPAD Posters Hit Union Halls Seafarers Maintain RRF Ships For Seafarers who work aboard the Cape Lobos and Cape Lambert, maintaining two Ready Reserve Force (RRF) vessels is Posters reminding Seafarers of the importance of the Seafarers Political Action Donation (SPAD) are being displayed in union halls around the country as well as aboard SIU-crewed ships. Admiring one of the posters hanging in the New York SIU hall are (from left) Wiper Maurice Ayuso, AB Terrence Kane and Recertified Steward Ed Haber. hard work. . The two ships, ?perated by Amsea and docked m Eagle Island, N.C., are ready to be fully crewed and sent to any area of crisis in the world at a moment's notice. This means that when the ships are on reserve status, they must be kept in excellent working condition at all times. SIU members maintain the ships' engines by keeping them greased and oiled and constantly check the electrical systems by monitoring and changing wires as needed. Most important, the Seafarers keep the ramps of the roll-on/roll-off ships working properly so that cargo can be brought on and taken off the Military Sealift Command vessels. Keeping the ramps of the Cape Lobos in excellent condition is vital to the defense of the United States. Seafarers responsible for maintaining the Ready Reserve Force vessel are, from left, Bosun Chris Lightfoot, SIU Norfolk, Va. Port Agent Mike Paladino, QMED K. Pell, UDE Frank Washington and Electrician William Ryan. SIU Norfolk, Va. Port Agent Mike Paladino meets with Seafarers who keep the Cape Lambert ready to sail at a moment's notice. From left are QMED Robert Ramsey, Paladino, Bosun Robert Woodson, QMED T. Migliara, UDE John Watkins and Electrician J. Crist. �SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 9 Action by Alton Belle Seafarers Sares Rirerboat Crewmembers Stave Off Runaway Barge Headed for Entertainment Area Quick action by Seafarers who sail aboard the Alton Belle II kept a runaway barge from smashing into the riverboat and its staging barge. On the morning of August 30, the runaway barge, filled with 50,000 bushels of grain, was tied up at the Con Agra loading dock, several hundred yards upstream from the Alton Belle facility, when a passing towboat's wake snapped a three-inch line and set the barge floating toward the riverboat. Barge First Spotted Captain Jerry Wendie spotted the barge shortly after 7 a.m. while the riverboat was preparing for its 7:30 a.m. cruise up the Mississippi River from Alton, m. Mate Dave Wendie was on the bridge with the captain when the barge was spotted and immediately notified security to quickly evacuate the passengers waiting aboard the riverboat' s staging barge, known as the Alton Landing. Captain Wendie next dis- patched deck department members to launch rescue boats to capture and maneuver the runaway barge away from the Alton Landing, which serves as the riverboat's entertainment and boarding complex. Chief Engineer Jack Norris started the Alton Belle II' s engines, and Captain Wendie diverted the riverboat away from the dock and out of the path of the barge. "We had to move the boat to avoid being hit," Captain Wendie said. Deckhands Cliff Jones and Don Garrett manned one rescue boat while Deckhands John Cooper and Greg Pritchett boarded the other. "While in constant communication with the bridge, we proceeded to the location of the loose barge," recalled Jones. Cooper recalled the tense situation. "The barge was headed straight for the Landing. It was incredibly scary trying to get it under control and away from the area," Cooper stated. "Our first attempt was to catch Alton Belle crewmembers who helped bring a runaway barge loaded with two million pounds of grain under control are, from left, Mate Dave Wendie, Captain Jerry Wendie, Chief Engineer Jack Norris, and Deckhands Don Garrett, Cliff Jones, John Cooper and Greg Pritchett. a line from the rescue boat to the barge and guide it away from the Belle facility," noted Jones. "However, with the arrival of the Alton Belle II' s second rescue boat and direction from the bridge, we were able to straighten Rare Pearl Harbor Call Marks SS Independence V-J Day Trip World War II veterans, guest lecturers and members of the U.S. armed forces who were in command positions at Pearl Harbor in 1941 were among the full load of passengers aboard American Hawaii Cruises' SS Independence as it sailed on a memorial cruise through Pearl Harbor in remembrance of the SOth anniversary of V-J Day (Victory over Japan)-the day the Japanese surrendered. Even Maxine Andrews of the singing Andrews Sisters (ofWWII-era fame) came aboard for part of the cruise which began September 3. The passenger ship sailed through the harbor on a slow bell as it passed the USS Arizona memorial (resting place for hundreds of crewmembers who ~e aboard the vessel when it was sunk during the December 6, 1941 surprise attack on Pearl Harbor) where 'President Bill Clinton was attending a service in remembrance of those brave men and women who were killed during that attack. The SS Independence then sailed counterclockwise around Ford Island (site of the former Hickam Army Airfield) and other points of interest from World War II before heading to Kona (on the big island of Hawaii) to continue its regular seven-day cruise of the Hawaiian Islands. Due to the solemn nature of the memorial, this OS Sean Stout climbs the mast to untangle a fouled was only the third time a civilian merchant ship has signal flag on the SS Independence before the vessel sails into Pearl Harbor. been allowed into Pearl Harbor. the loose barge with the current and push it toward the center of the river-away from the Alton Belle Landing facility," Deckhand Jones continued. A towboat arrived soon after and took the barge safely back to the Con Agra dock. 'Too Close for Comfort' "It was a scary situation but between the two rescue boats, we were able to head the barge off. Our rescue boat was only about 10 or 15 feet from the dock, trying to hold the barge back until a towboat could reach us. It was too close for comfort," Cooper recalled. "It was one of those days where you were thankful for the calm conditions of the river. If the Mississippi had been running harder or had been choppy, we would have really been in trouble," Cooper said. "It was a pretty hectic and frightening situation, but we all saw it clearly and reacted to it. It was a total group effort by everyone involved. All of our safety features were in force. That barge could have done a lot of damage. We were really very lucky," Cooper concluded. Sam Houston Crew Feted For Two Years of Safety Two years of safe operation aboard the Sam Houston were recognized by a plaque bearing the names of all officers and crew on the vessel during that time. From the left are (front row) OS Stephen Yursha, Bosun B. Riddick, Capt. Hugh McEachern, Radio Officer William Dailey, QMED Alton Hickman, OS Ahmed Madari, SB William Winters, (back row) Chief Engineer David Janes, Chief Mate Mike Mara, Waterman Vice President Erik Johnson and Capt. William Niemeyer. A special awards ceremony was held October 1, 1995 in New Orleans by Waterman Steamship Corporation aboard the Sam Houston in recognition of the outstanding achievement by the officers and crew in completing two years of service with no loss of time due to crew-related injuries. Programs were printed listing all the officers and crewmembers who have sailed on the vessel ,.__._...,~,,_..."., from August 31, 1993 to September 1, 1995; and Erik L. Johnson, vice president at Waterman, presented the crew with a wooden ........._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _..:..__...;;;;;;..;__......;:.;~~;;:;.;;;;:;z..._..;;,_ _ _ _ - - - - - - · plaque onto which brass plates The SS Independence sails past the USS Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor on the 50th anniversary of bearing the names of all the crewV-J Day. Being allowed into Pearl Harbor is an extremely rare honor for a civilian merchant ship. members aboard the Sam Hous- ------= ton during the two-year period had been affixed. The company also presented the crew with a celebratory cake on which was written, in icing, "Thanks for a job well done!" The Sam Houston is replicated in icing on a cake which reads, "Thanks for a job well done!" �10 SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 Aboard the Long Lines, Seafarers Make History For Longest Cable Lay Celebrating his birthday at sea during the cable operation is SA Miguel Hidalgo. Seafarers aboard the Long Lines recently helped create a world record for the longest cable laying operation in history when a month-long cable installation was completed between Guam and Hawaii. SIU members aboard the Transoceanic Cable Ship Co. vessel prepared for the operation for six weeks by loading cable while docked in Hitachi, Japan. The vessel sailed for Guam. From there, the Long Lines began the operation-which took approximately 30 days-to place the 6,580 kilometers of fiber-optic cable along the floor of the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. Robert Wells, an AT&T engineer in charge of overseeing the operation of deep water installations, stated, "The essence of the Guam-Hawaii project is that it was the longest cable lay operation done by anyone, anywhere--ever." As the largest ship in the Transoceanic Cable Ship fleet of five cable-laying vessels, the Long Lines was chosen to install the fiber-optic cable between Guam and Hawaii because of the ship's capacity to carry the large amount of cable needed to complete the operation. The Long Lines holds the world record for total cable miles installed as well as for cable miles installed in a single year. While loading the cable in Hitachi, SIU members enjoyed cookouts with the Japanese workers who assisted in the massive loading operation. Steward department members, led by Chief Steward Thomas Wybo, prepared hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken while the Japanese workers shared their various stir-fry recipes with the Long Lines crew. "Because the Long lines has operated in the AT&T cable ship fleet longer than any other vessel, it is still affectionately referred to as 'The Queen of the Aeet.' The Long Lines, which is based in Honolulu, is an impeccably kept ship, and that is a credit to the crew," Wells told the Seafarers LOG. Seafarers have crewed Transoceanic vessels since the early 1960s. The company operates a total of five cable ships: The Long Lines, Charles L. Brown, Global Sentinel, Global Link and Global Mariner. Members of the Long Lines' steward department prepared special foods for crewmembers and Japanese workers while the ship took on cable in Hitachi, Japan. l: Long Lines' Oiler Joe Perry enjoys the cookout in Hitachi, Japan with fellow crewmembers Chief Purser Bruce Steinle (left) and Second Assistant Engineer Andy Ackerman (right). !, (middle) tfl Cable AB Lee Hardman (left) and Steward Storekeeper Shari Smithson take a quick break from work loading cable aboard the ship in Hitachi, Japan. Smithson provided the photos on this page. �NOVEMBER 1995 SEAFARERS LOG 11 Delegates Hear Officials Announce Their Support for U.S. Ship Bill Whether the words came from officials of the Clinton administration, members of Congress, the logistics chief for the U.S. Navy or the mayor of New York, the message delivered to the delegates of the 1995 AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department (MTD) convention was the same: America needs its merchant fleet. The speakers at the two-day meeting held in New York City all provided words of support to back up resolutions passed by the delegates, who came from the MTD's 40 member unions and 28 port councils. Working for Enactment While those attending the convention called on Congress to pass legislation enacting a 10-year, $1 billion maritime revitalization program, the chairman of the House Merchant Marine Oversight Panel said he is doing everything he can to pass the measure. "I can assure you we will fight to get as much for the survival of the American merchant marine as possible," Representative Herbert H. Bateman (R-Va.) announced to the delegates. Herberger, who was a member of the operating the program during Fiscal Year 1996 in its commerce appropriations bill. Masters, Mates and Pilots before joining (That bill now is before a House-Senate - - - - - - - - - - - - - - conference committee. Both the authorizaMaritime Administrator tion and appropriations bills have to pass Albert Herberger: Congress for the program to become reality.) 'The centerpiece Bateman said he was assured by the of [our transleadership of the House that H.R. 1350 portation system] "will come to the floor this session. So, we has been the are no longer talking about if; we are talkmerchant marine.' ing about when." Bipartisan Support stating that he would work with . Bateman to get Democratic support · for N the . measure was R epresentattve et 1 Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), who urged those listening to continue fighting for the legislation. the U.S. Navy and retiring as an admiral, said the merchant fleet is an important part of America's transportation needs. "We have the times t transportau· on syst · th Id" h tat d "It· tti em m e wor • es e · . is ge ng better day by day. The cen~erp~.ece of that has been the merchant manne. Needed by Military administration's support for the merchant marine is not limited to passing maritime revitalization. "There's something else that the president and I strongly support and that is the Jones Act," Pena proclaimed. (The Jones Act is a 1920 law that states any cargo moved between two American ports must be carried aboard a U.S.crewed, U.S.-flag and U.S.-built vessel. There have been some efforts recently to try to get Congress to look into repealing the nation's cabotage law.) "Here we have a law that provides jobs for Americans, protects the environment, insures our national security, does it at no expense to the taxpayers without a dime of subsidies from Washington. So why should anyone want to repeal it?" the secretary remarked. The delegates, through several resolutions, urged fellow trade unionists to support the Jones Act and inform elected officials of the law's importance to the nation's economy and transportation systems. Pena noted the Clinton administration holds firm to its belief that given a level playing field America's working men and women "could compete in any market in the world." Herberger told the audience that U.S. Representative America's military forces will continue to Neil Abercrombie: need the commercial fleet well into the next century, in order for the nation to 'We 're trying to retain its superpower status. get this bill "Ninety-five percent of the tonnage that through.' has to go to any engagement for the U.S. Representative foreseeable future-I'm saying the year "' Herbert H. Bateman: "How are Herb Bateman and myself 2025-95 percent of it will go by sealift. 'The important and other people who want to put the Wen~theskilledlaborthatwillmanour point is to get a Rebuild City's Ports maritime [revitalization] bill [through] fleet. . , . program going to succeed if we can• t get 218 votes? Supporting Herberger s contention that Representative Charles Rangel (D' authorized, funded That's what it's about," Abercrombie said. the armed forces need a stron~ mer~h~t N.Y.) recalled the important role the U.S. and operating.' (In order for a bill to pass the House of fleet ~as the head of the Navy s log1st1cs merchant fleet played in his youth growing Representatives 218 of the 435 possible operations. up in New York. "We still d~pend o~ the ~ner fleet to ''The important point is to get a program votes are needed.) U.S. Representative Abercrombie praised Bateman for meet th~ sustamment ~ft, !Ilam.~y ~ause authorized, funded and operating." Charles Rangel: The chairman told the convention that working with Democrats and Republicans m?st of 1.t ~an be contamenzed, Vice Adbills to authorize the creation of amaritime in order to craft maritime revitalization mrral Wilham A. Earner told the conven'The merchant _o_n_._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ revitalization program (H.R. 1350 in the legislation and work for its passage.ti marines were a Adding his support for the legislation House and S. 1139 in tl1e Senate) have pla.ce we could go cleared the committee process and await was Maritime Administrator Albert Herand become Vice Admiral William action by their respective chambers. He berger, who noted passage in Congress is somebody.' Earner: also noted the Senate had gone a step "closer at this point in time than we cer- , beyond by providing $46 million for tainly have been in the last three years." 'We strongly "The pride we had when we saw those support that ships moving out there with an American program in DOD.' flag there, to know that in every neighborAdmiral Salutes World War II Merchant Mariners hood, no matter what the training or lack l .... of training, the merchant marines were a 'This is what we did in Desert Stom1, place we could go and become someand this is what we plan to do in the fu- body," the congressman said. ture." ''That ship could dock in any port, and Earner noted the vessels covered by a the men that got off of those ships were maritime revitalization program would ambassadors for the United States of "be more than adequate to meet our sus- America, and they would set the standard tainment and resupply lift requirements for the entire world as to what a good ship into the future. was," Rangel remembered. "We strongly support that program in In an attempt to recapture that spirit as the Department of Defense," said the ad- well as provide jobs along the New York miral. waterfront, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani told the convention that his office will be workJones Act Endorsed ing to rebuild the city's port facilities. Those words almost echoed the New York Mayor remarks of the convention's keynote Rudolph Giuliani: speaker, Transportation Secretary Federico Pena, who said, "The president 'Healthy ports and I believe in the maritime industry. wor1U """' 11 111 Transportation Sec'y Federico Pena: create opportunities in the maritime industry and ... other industries. ' 'The president and I believe in the The mayor noted that maritime has maritime industry. ' played an important role throughout the Ray CrowelVPage One Vice Admiral William A. Earner, head of the U.S. Navy's logistics operations, talks with retired SIU contracts vice president Angus "Red" Campbell following the admiral's salute to merchant mariners who served during World War II. Campbell saw duty on a merchant ship off Normandy Beach during D-Day operations, June 6, 1944. Behind the pair is a display of World War II maritime-related posters brought to the MTD convention from the exhibit on display at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. "I contended from the very first day I took office that revitalizing the maritime industry was essential for our country. The maritime industry is essential to rebuilding the economy, essential to our transportation infrastructure, essential to fortifying our n~tional security," Pena stated. The secretary added that the history of the city and he plans to revive the industry in Brooklyn, Staten Island and Manhattan. "Healthy ports create opportunities in the maritime industry and it creates opportunities in other industries as well," Giuliani said. "I'm telling you all this because I want you to know that my administration and the city of New York has a major commitment to this industry." �12 SEAFARERS LOG Richard L. Trumka, · President. United Mine Workers of America �NOVEMBER 1995 SEAFARERS LOG 13 �p-i!----------------------------------------------------- ·- --14 SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 Unionists Fight for Job Security Whether in Detroit, Seattle or Decatur, Ill., American workers are ta1cing on giant corporations in an effort to ensure a decent living for themselves and their families, reported the presidents of three unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department (MTD). Speaking to the biennial convention of the MTD meeting in New York City October 19-20, the union presidents discussed strikes stemming from bitter disputes with employers bent on breaking the pay levels, benefits and job security of the trade unionists who built their companies. Responding to the reports of George J. Kourpias, president, International Association of Machinists (IAM); Wayne E. Glenn, president, United Paperworkers Intemational Union (UPIU) and James J. Norton, president, Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU), the MTD delegates, representing 40 national unions and 28 port councils, unanimously voted to support the striking workers and provide all assistance possible. Boycott Detroit Newspapers In Detroit, where six unions are on strike against two newspapers-the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News, union members are boycotting the two publications, theGCIU president reported. The2,500unionmemberswhoworkas reporters, press operators, printers, engravers, copy editors, drivers, circulation employees, photographers, mailers, artists and graphic workers went on strike July 13. The six newspaper unions have made an "unconditional offer to return to work, followed by 30 days of intense bargaining and a commitment that any unresolved issue at the end of the 30 days will be sent to binding arbitration," said Norton. The GCIU president also noted that the striking unions had made proposals to the companies that would have resulted in a savings of $15 million dollars. But the two papers, owned by Gannett Co. and Knight-Ridder, are intent on eliminating 200 full time jobs and 1,600 newspaper carrier positions. The publications also insist on eliminating benefits and allowing increases in pay solely at the discretion of management. Thus, the strike goes on, Norton concluded. Lock Out in Decatur In Decatur, ID. the British-owned Staley Corporation has locked out members of the UPlli for two years, reported Glenn. GCIU President The sweetener-producing company James J. Norton: demanded elimination of an 8-hour 'If you engage and workday and the 40-hour week, gutting the cooperate in a seniority provisions of the union contract and complete freedom to subcontract boycott of the adwork. Glenn explained that when Staley vertisers who go unionists refused to roll over, the company into the Detroit newspapers •..you forced a lock out and brought in replaceworkers. will help bring an ment To aid the 700 Paperworkers on strike, end to this strike.' trade unionists have urged Staley's largest customers to do business elsewhere. To date, the company's number one customer-Miller Beer- has taken its business away from Staley. Glenn urged all trade unionists to assist in the campaign to convince Pepsi-Cola, the company's second largest customer, to stop ordering sweetener from Staley. -------------UPIU President Wayne E. Glenn: 'Sometimes we have to trans/er the fight from the pla,nt gate to wherever we can make company CEO's and stockholders the most Kourpiassaidtheunion'sgoalis"toget the company back to the table" in order to "start talking about both the cuts in health care and also about job security." The IAM president noted the significance of the fight with Boeing. This struggle is "about whether or not the United States will continue to be number one in the aerospace industry and whether or not we will build airplanes in America or just sell them," Kourpias said. And it also is about whether America will have the kind of industries that can support highly skilled and well paid workers, he added. --------------- L 'What is involved here is whether or uncomfortable.' Rally With Boeing Workers Kourpias informed the delegates that in Seattle members of the IAM went on strike last month against Boeing Corporation, a leading aerospace company known for building airplanes. Machinists' members also are on strike at other Boeing facilities in Wichita, Kan.; Portland, Ore. and Spokane, Wash., he said. The central issue of the Boeing strike is job security, Kourpias said. Union memhers seek an opportunity to do the work before the company makes subcontracting decisions. Boeing also is seeking cuts in health care coverage that are unacceptable to the union. To support the more than 32,000 striking Boeing Machinists, union members are joining picket lines and participating in rallies around the country. IAM President George J. Kourpias: not we are going to remain a highwage, high-skilled society.' MTD Pledge of Support Noting that the struggle of one group of workers is a fight for all American trade unionists, MTD President Michael Sacco pledged the full cooperation and assistance of the MTD and its affiliated unions in the labor fights in Decatur, Detroit and Seattle. "We'll be there on your picket lines, we'll make calls to CEOs, we'll stop buying goods advertized in scab newspapers. In short, we'll do whatever it takes to help the trade unionists in these struggles win and win big," Sacco said. Sacco, Zenga, Pecquex Elected to MTD Posts By a unanimous vote, the delegates to the 1995 AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department (MTD) biennial convention re-elected Michael Sacco as the department's president. Also by acclamation, the delegates returned William Zenga as vice president and Frank Pecquex as executive secretary-treasurer to fill executive officer posts that will govern the MTD for the next four years. Sacco, who serves as the president of the Seafarers International Union, was appointed by the department's executive board as president of the MTD in 1988 . He was elected to his first full fouryear term during the 1991 convention. As MTD president, Sacco heads an organiza- tion composed of 40 different national unions and 28 port councils located in the United States and Canada The membership of the MTD represents 8.5 million workers in fields related to the maritime industry. William Zenga originally was elected vice president of theMIDatthe 1987biennial convention and has been reelected to the office at each successive convention. A member of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) since 1941, Zenga currently serves as the business manager of IUOE Local 25, Marine Di vision, based in Metuchen, N .J. Zenga also serves as vice president of the Delaware Valley and Vicinity Maritime Port Council. In his duties as vice president, Zenga assists the president during meetings and presides in the president's absence. Frank Pecquex was appointed executive secretary-treasurer in 1993 following the retirement of Jean Ingrao. This will be Pecquex' s first full term. The job of executive secretary-treasurer ineludes keeping records of MTD meetings and conventions, tracking the department's financial matters and conducting the correspondence pertaining to the office. Priortohisappointment, Pecquex served from 1991 to 1993 as the MTD' s administrator. In that post, the New York native coordinated activities between the MTD and its network of port maritime councils. In 1985, Pecquex was maritime and labor-related designated the depart- issues on Capitol Hill. ment's legislative director. The MTD president, In that post, he promoted vice president and execu- tive secretary-treasurer are elected every four years during the department's convention. • ~ Being sworn in as officers of the Maritime Trades Department are, from the left, William Zenga, Michael Sacco and Frank Pecquex. Administering the oath is MTD General Counsel Leslie Tarantola. Each officer received a nomination and second from the convention floor. From the left who nominated William Zenga. The final two pictured are Ed Panarello of the Maritime are Byron Kelley and Joseph Sacco of the Seafarers, who nominated Michael Sacco. Port Council of Greater New York and Vicinity and Dennis Lundy of the Port Maritime The next two photos are of Wayne Gyenizs and Jack Webb of the Operating Engineers, Council of Southern California, who nominated Frank Pecquex. �Dispatchers' Report for Deep Sea SEPTEMBER 16 - OCTOBER 15, 1995 *TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Port 34 New York Philadelphia 5 Baltimore 3 Norfolk 11 Mobile 9 New Orleans 19 Jacksonville 27 San Francisco 13 Wilmington 7 Seattle 25 Puerto Rico 9 Honolulu 11 Houston 27 St. Louis 2 Piney Point 0 Algonac 2 204 Totals Port New York 19 Philadelphia 6 Baltimore 2 Norfolk 7 Mobile 9 New Orleans 8 Jacksonville 12 San Francisco 13 Wilmington 5 14 Seattle Puerto Rico 3 Honolulu 3 8 Houstol! St. Louis 0 2 Piney Point Algonac 0 Totals 111 Port New York 17 Philadelphia 0 Baltimore 6 Norfolk 6 Mobile 3 New Orleans 7 Jacksonville 9 San Francisco 23 Wilmington 13 12 Seattle Puerto Rico 3 11 Honolulu Houston 10 St. Louis 0 Piney Point 4 Algonac 1 Totals 125 Port New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Mobile New Orleans Jacksonville San Francisco Wilmington Seattle Puerto Rico Honolulu Houston St. Louis Piney Point Algonac Totals Totals All De(!artments TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C Trip Reliefs **REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C 8 3 4 s 21 0 5 4 17 3 6 10 10 0 3 0 7 11 7 22 0 17 18 21 15 9 18 12 16 1 22 20 5 4 17 8 2 1 12 4 28 3 0 10 0 3 1 33 221 9 3 10 13 9 10 10 8 1 0 0 1 0 5 0 12 1 11 10 5 0 0 5 5 11 10 3 3 1 130 1 8 8 4 3 0 2 7 1 4 17 0 135 0 0 3 15 26 45 35 16 1 I 8 20 2 2 5 7 39 28 36 32 45 4 2 11 11 4 12 51 2 23 8 8 14 1 55 3 15 1 382 5 407 1 86 2 0 0 36 23 3 13 6 1 2 10 15 12 18 23 5 0 1 5 0 0 0 66 0 12 15 11 2 6 7 1 10 5 14 0 2 6 24 19 6 1 1 6 1 4 11 21 10 17 7 22 2 6 8 9 0 0 21 0 0 0 6 1 4 4 16 18 0 7 2 3 14 0 2 1 1 2 3 3 4 17 20 22 6 6 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 4 0 95 12 36 202 2 0 1 1 0 29 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 2 0 10 0 1 2 4 0 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 9 9 5 16 1 222 23 2 l 13 5 15 43 1 2 0 4 0 24 7 4 0 3 0 0 0 18 1 3 0 15 8 8 12 3 15 1 23 0 0 0 7 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 19 15 0 0 1 0 0 0 10 0 1 7 0 15 41 233 159 36 15 68 24 2 1 11 0 102 6 32 7 1 0 0 9 2 1 1 15 9 1 5 1 2 48 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 13 8 9 1 2 2 11 56 20 29 4 17 20 9 7 3 2 2 4 2 1 14 1 0 5 9 7 3 3 3 9 11 1 3 27 19 19 7 10 8 8 5 3 0 6 48 75 45 89 0 9 1 0 0 0 7 3 26 5 5 0 0 0 2 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 46 1 256 0 0 132 0 0 0 88 436 1 221 486 700 210 905 1~24 386 8 17 18 1 7 0 0 0 0 0 3 10 0 0 3 0 2 4 3 0 10 9 3 2 2 0 1 40 134 112 0 0 0 394 412 154 143 I 5 17 27 4 19 2 11 4 26 17 28 12 51 35 35 15 57 28 14 18 17 1 2 3 7 11 9 5 31 l San Juan Thursday: December 7, January Friday: December 15, January 19 Honolulu Friday: December 15, January 19 Duluth Wednesday: December 13, January 17 Jersey City December 20, January 24 New Bedford Tuesday: December 19, January 23 Wednesday~ Each port's meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. 8 12 70 9 0 1 1996 Scholarships Open To Seafarers, Dependents Seven scholarships will be awarded next year to three SIU members and four dependent children (or spouses) of Seafarers. Of the three SIU scholarships, one is a four-year stipend in the total amount of $15,000; two are two-year scholarships, each totalling $6,000. Each of the dependent scholarships is for $15,000. One hint: In order to win one of the scholarships, an application form must be filled out and sent to the Seafarers Welfare Plan on or before April 15, 1996. That leaves just five months to collect all the necessary paperwork that must be included with the application package. The first step is to get an application form (either by mail using the coupon bdow or from any SIU hall). The next step is to fill out the form and gather the other items that accompany the form. These include an autobiographical statement, a photograph, a certified copy of applicant's birth certificate, high school transcripts and certification of graduation or official copy of high school equivalency scores, college transcripts, letters of reference and SAT or ACT score results. Another hint: Five months may seem like a lot of time to complete the application package, but it should be noted that some schools often are very slow in handling transcript requests. There is no time like the present to start the process. r--------------------------~ please send me the 1996 SIU scholarship program booklet which contains eligibility information, procedures for applying and the application form. Name Book Number Address City, State, Zip Code Telephone Number This application is for * "Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. ** "Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. 11 St. Louis 0 13 l 0 Mobile Wednesday: December 13, January 17 San Francisco Thursday: December 14, January 18 Wilmington Monday, December 18, January 22 Seattle Friday: December 22, January 26 1 7 4 10 6 Norfolk Thursday: December 7, January 11 Jacksonville Thursday: December 7, January 11 Algonac Friday: December 8, January 12 Houston Monday: December 11, January 15 New Orleans Tuesday: December 12, January 16 1 1 8 0 1 6 Baltimore Thursday: December 7, January 11 0 2 3 25 6 Piney Point Monday: December 4, January 8 New York Tuesday: December 5, January 9 Philadelphia Wednesday: December 6, January 10 7 4 26 55 0 0 1 15 7 20 50 9 6 30 2 8 0 0 2 1 7 7 7 71 4 1 88 11 1 0 2 2 0 0 14 I 5 3 5 20 0 1 6 16 0 10 1 0 1 0 16 2 1 0 1 3 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 12 0 9 3 0 0 0 1 10 2 3 3 3 8 9 19 12 7 16 1 0 1 164 1 9 5 December 1995 & January 1996 Membership Meetings Deep Sea, Lakes, Inland Waters DECK DEPARTMENT 24 1 3 1 93 4 3 15 SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 D Self D Dependent Mail the completed form to tJu Sclw/arship Program, Seafarers Welfare Plan, 5201 AUlh Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. 11195 --------------------------~ �16 SEAFARERS LOG Seafarers International Union Directory NOVEMBER 1995 Dispatchers' Report for Great Lakes SEPTEMBER 16- OCTOBER 15, 1995 CL-Company/Lakes L-Lakes NP-Non Priority Michael Sacco President John Fay Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Sacco Executive Vice President Augu~tin Tellez ViCe President Contracts George McCartney Vice President West Coast Roy A. "Buck" Mercer Vice President Government Services Jack Cafl'ey Vice President Atlantic Coast Byron Kelley Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters DeanCorgey Vice President Gulf Coast HEADQUARTERS 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 (301) 899-0675 ALGONAC 520 St. Clair River Dr. Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4988 BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St. Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 327-4900 DULUTH 705 Medical Arts Building Duluth, MN 5580'2 (218)722-4110 HONOLULU 606 Kalihi St. Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 845-5222 HOUSTON 1221 Pierce St. Houston, TX 77002 (713) 659-5152 JACKSONVILLE 3315 Liberty St. Jacksonville, FL 32206 (904) 353-0987 JERSEY CITY 99 Montgomery St. Jersey City, NJ 0730'2 (201) 435-9424 MOBILE 1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy. Mobile, AL 36605 (334)478-0916 NEW BEDFORD · 48 Union St. New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 997-5404 NEW ORLEANS 630 Jackson Ave. New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 529-7546 NEW YORK 635 Fourth Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11232 (718) 499-6600 NORFOLK 115 Third St. Norfolk, VA 23510 (804) 622-1892 PIDLADELPHIA 2604 S. 4 St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215)336-3818 PINEY POINT P.O. Box 75 Piney Point, MD 20674 (301) 994-0010 PORT EVERGLADES 1221 S. Andrews Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 522-7984 •TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac Port Algonac 0 21 7 0 8 0 0 5 2 0 2 17 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class CL Class L Class NP •*REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class CL Clas.s L Class NP DECK DEPARTMENT 0 39 9 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 5 20 0 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 2 5 ENTRY DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 0 11 13 0 20 5 0 9 5 0 38 11 0 36 26 0 64 16 0 78 Totals All Departments *"Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. ** "Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. 34 Dispatchers' Report for Inland Waters SEPTEMBER 16 - OCTOBER 15, 1995 Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes & Inland Waters West Coast Totals Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes & Inland Waters West Coast Totals Region Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Lakes & Inland Waters West Coast Totals 2 1 37 2 42 3 0 5 0 8 0 3 0 1 9 5 11 0 0 2 0 2 DECK DEPARTMENT 0 0 3 1 1 1 ·10 1 0 18 1 5 0 6 5 0 2 0 0 2 *•REGISTERED ON BEACH All Groups Class A Class B Class C TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C •TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B Class C 32 3 3 19 7 2 2 21 5 27 40 30 42 3 1 1 0 5 0 1 11 6 ENGINE DEPARTMENT 1 0 0 1 0 0 6 0 0 3 0 0 11 0 0 STEWARD DEPARTMENT 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 2 0 5 1 0 2 5 6 5 0 9 0 15 0 1 0 1 6 3 0 1 0 0 6 0 13 12 19 ·u 48 60 49 5 12 20 58 Totals All Departments * "Total Registered" means the number of Seafarers who actually registered for shipping at the port. **"Registered on Beach" means the total number of Seafarers registered at the port. 64 1 0 7 0 8 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 5 7 e1u BULLETIN BOARD ~ ~ ~ ~ ? FLU SHOTS BEING GIVEN IN PORT OF SEATTLE Virginia Mason Clinic will again offer flu shots this year to members who qualify under the rules of the Seafarers Welfare Plan. The inoculations will be given on Monday, November 20, 1995, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon and again between 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Seattle union hall, located at 2505 1st Avenue. In order to expedite the necessary paperwork, it is requested that any member intending to receive a flu shot call the hall one week prior to November 20. The telephone number is (206) 441-1960. To utilize this benefit, a member must be qualified under the rules of the plan. He or she must bring proof of 120 days seatimefor 1994 and one day of covered employment on or after May 15, 1995. (There are no exceptions to this rule.) 3 1 7 0 11 11 ~ UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS In order to ensure that SIU members and pensioners receive a copy of the Seafarers LOG each month-as well as other important mail- a correct home address must be on file with the union. If you have moved recently and have not yet notified the union, go to your nearest SIU hall and fill out a change of address form or send your new address (along with your name, book number and social security number) to: Address Control, Seafarers International Union, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St. San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 543-5855 Government Services Division (415) 861-3400 SANTURCE 1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 161h Santurce, PR 00907 (809) 721-4033 SEA TILE 2505 First Ave. Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 441-1960 ST.LOUIS 4581 Gravois Ave. St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 752-6500 WILMINGTON 510 N. Broad Ave. Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 549-4000 SEAFARERS MUST RENEW Z-CARDS BY 1999 Issuance Year Merchant seamen must renew their z-cards every five years, according to U.S. Coast Guard regulations. In order to keep their merchant mariner's documents up to date, Seafarers can use the chart on the right. Renewal dates are determined by the issuance date on the z-cards. The exact date of expiration matches the month and date when the document was issued. Renewal Year 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1985 1980 1975 1970 1965 1960 1955 1950 1945 1940 1986 1981 1976 1971 1966 1961 1956 1951 1946 1941 1987 1982 1977 1972 1967 1962 1957 1952 1947 1942 1937 1988 1983 1978 1973 1968 1963 1958 1953 1948 1943 1938 1989 1984 1979 1974 1969 1964 1959 1954 1949 1944 1939 1995 1996 1997 199$ 1999 Source: Federal Register, September 27, 1994 �SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 J,. J,. mong the 19 Seafarers joinA ing the ranks of pensioners this month is Bosun Billie B. Darley. His 50 years with the union began aboard a Liberty ship and ended when he signed off the LNG Capricorn. He is one of 13 pensioners who sailed in the deep sea department; another five navigated the inland waterways, and one shipped in the Atlantic Fishermen's division. Nine of the retiring SIU members served in the U.S. military-four in the Navy, three in the Army, one in the Marine Corps and one in the Coast Guard. Among those joining the ranks of the retirees, Paul M. Butterworth, Harold F. Eady and Darley completed the bosun recertification course at the Lundeberg School in Piney Point, Md., while Marvin Deloatch graduated from the steward recertification course there. These courses offer the highest level of training for deck and steward department members at the Lundeberg School. On this page, the Seafarers LOG presents brief biographical accounts of this month's pensioners. The SIU Wishes Our New Pensioners The Wind to Their Backs and Harbor from Storms Each month in the Seafarers LOG, the names of SIU members who recently have become pensioners appear with a brief biographical sketch. These men and women have served the maritime industry well, and the SIU and all their union brothers and sisters thank them for jobs well done and wish them happiness and health in the days ahead. deberg School. Born in Massachusetts, Brother Craig presently resides in Florida. BILLIEB. DARLEY, 67, first sailed for the SIU in 1945 aboard the Charles W. Warfield. The deck department member upgraded at the Lundeberg School and graduated from the bosun recertification course there in 1984. Since 1980, he has sailed primarily aboard LNG vessels. Born in Florida, Brother Darley continues to live in that state. Carolina. Brother Escobar upgraded at the Lundeberg School. He has retired to his native Puerto Rico. MOHAMED A. ELJANNY, 65, began sailing with the Seafarers in 1971 from the port of Detroit. Brother Eljanny sailed in both the deck and engine departments and shipped in all three divisions: deep sea, inland and Great Lakes. Born in Arabia, Brother Eljanny now resides in Michigan. ROBERT J. KOTECKI, 65,joined the SIU in 1962 in the port of JackMARVIN sonville, DEWATCH, '-'---====...J Fla. Brother 57,began Kotecki sailed in both the sailing with steward and engine departthe Seaments. He served in the U.S. farers in Army from 1950 to 1953. 1964 from Born in Illinois, Brother the port of Kotecki now calls Florida = "--====="'--' Norfolk, Va. Brother Deloatch shipped in the home. steward department. He upgraded at the Lundeberg PABLO School and completed the RAMOS, steward recertification program 59, started there in 1980. He also was inhis career volved with union organizing with the activities. Born in North Seafarers in Carolina, Brother Deloatch 1966 in the makes his home in New York. port of New York. DEEP SEA Brother Ramos sailed in the KENNETH RAYMOND DYKSTRA, deck department and upgraded V. BAKER, 65, started at the Lundeberg School. Born 65,began in Puerto Rico, Brother Ramos his career sailing with now lives in New York. with the SIU the Seai.:1 1968 in farers in .-----=---...., ANTHONY the port of 1948 from Detroit. The S.ROTUNthe port of Michigan na- ~~~~ DA, 59, ==~===Norfolk, Va. tive shipped in the deck departgraduated Brother Baker shipped as a ment in both the deep sea and from the member of the engine departGreat Lakes divisions. Brother Andrew ment. He served in the U.S. Dykstra has retired to Michigan. Furuseth Army from 1954 to I 956. Training Born in Georgia, Brother Baker School in HAROLD makes his horn~ in Texas. 1961 and joined the union in F.EADY, the port of New York. Brother 65,joined PAULM. Rotunda sailed as a member of the union in the engine department and was BUTTER1967 in the WORTH, actively involved in union orport of San 70, started ganizing activities. From 1956 Francisco. to 1960, he served in the U.S. his career The deck with the SIU Navy. A native of West Vir~--'--'~=~department in 1968 in ginia, Brother Rotunda conmember upgraded his skills at tinues to live there. the port of the Lundeberg School and Baltimore. graduated from the bosun recerThe deck department member tification course there in 1990. GEORGE upgraded at the Lundeberg From 1951to1954, he served S. THOMPSchool in Piney Point, Md., and in the U.S . Navy . Born in IlSON, 65, completed the bosun recertifica- linois, Brother Eady presently began sailtion course there in I 982. lives in Texas. ing with the From 1943 to 1945, he served union in in the U.S. Navy. Born in West 1968 in the ROBERTO Virginia, Brother Butterworth port of ESCOBAR, now lives in Georgia. Philadel53, graduphia. The Pennsylvania native ated from shipped in the engine departLAWRENC the Andrew ment and upgraded at the LunCRAIG,66, Furuseth deberg School. From 1947 to Training began sail1951, he served in the U.S. School in ing with the Navy. Brother Thomas con1960 and Seafarers in tinues to live in his native state started his career with the 1948 from of Pennsylvania. union in the port of New York. the port of Born in Puerto Rico, he sailed Seattle. He in the steward department, last PAUL F. WHALEN, 67, =-==---:::.-"'==c....==-= shipped in sailing as a chief cook aboard started his career with the the engine department and the NPR, Inc. vessel, the Seafarers in 1958 in the port of upgraded to QMED at the Lun- New York. The New York native sailed in the engine department. He attended upgrading courses at the Lundeberg School. From 1951to1952, he served in the U.S. Army. Brother Whalen now calls California home. INLAND WILFORD W.HOPKINS,62, joined the Seafarers in 1966 in the port of Norfolk, Va. During his union career, Boatman Hopkins sailed as a launch operator, relief captain and captain. Born in North Carolina, Boatman Hopkins has retired to that state. ~--~l CARLTON A.SHANNON,62, started his career with the Seafarers in 1977 in the port of Piney Point, Md. Boatman Shannon sailed as a member of the engine department. From 1951to1972 he served in the U.S. Coast Guard. A native of North Carolina, Boatman Shan- 11 J,. J,. non continues to live in his home state. NORMAN W. SAWYER, 62, started his career with the SIU in 1956 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Boatman Sawyer sailed in both the steward and engine departments. Born in Virginia, he presently lives in North Carolina. WOODROW W. STOKLEY, 56, joined the SIU in 1972 in the port of Norfolk, Va. Boatman Stokley shipped in the engine department, last sailing as an engineer. Born in North Carolina, Boatman Stokley now makes his home in Virginia. ATLANTIC FISHERMEN LEOJ. SABATO, 67,joined the Atlantic Fishermen's Union in 1946 in the port of Gloucester, Mass. Born in Massachusetts, he shipped in the deck department. In 1968 Brother Sabato became an official for the union and served as a port agent in the port of Gloucester, Mass. As a rank-and-file member, he participated in a number of organizing drives and beefs. Brother Sabato continues to live in his native state of Massachusetts. I LOG-A-RHYTHM by Edme Dale Sessions Ill Song of the Tradewinds Oh I am the wind the sailors love, I am steady and strong and true. They follow my track by the clouds above, Over the fathomless tropic blue. Through daylight and dark, I follow the bark, I keep like a hound on the trail. I'm stronger at noon, yet under the moon I stiffen the bunt of the sails. Yes I am the wind, your next of kin, Race with me o'er the top of the waves. I love all the sailors and ships upon the seas, The dolphins, the whales and the bays! Ships on Canvas Now I don't care from which way the winds shall blow, north-south-the Gulf, from the bays or the China Sea! Just paint me a ship that's like a ship, and that'll do for me! (Eddie Dale Sessions III sailed with the SIU from 1987 until 1990, last shipping as an AB aboard the M. V. Faust. He presently resides in Phoenix, Ariz. where he wrote these poems.) �18 NOVEMBER 1995 SEAFARERS LOG Digest of Shipboard Union Meetings The Seafarers LOG attempts to print as many digests of union shipboard minutes as possible. On occasion, because of space limitations, some will be omitted. Ships minutes first are reviewed by the union's contract department. Those Issues requiring attention or resolution are addressed by the union upon receipt of the ships minutes. The minutes are then forwarded to the Seafarers LOG for publication. LNG GEMINl(ETC), July 16Chairman Ramli Mohamad, Secretary Dana Cunningham, Educational Director D. Wise, Deck Delegate Paul Jagger, Engine Delegate Kevin Conklin. Secretary thanked crew for keeping lounge in order and reminded those signing off to leave quarters clean. Educational director advised members to upgrade at Lundeberg School as soon as possible. Treasurer announced $331 in ship's fund. Deck delegate noted lack of air conditioning aboard ship while in shipyard. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Bosun reported telex from SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez about deck crew work received and posted on crew bulletin board. Crew discussed purchase of snorkeling equipment, dictionary and world atlas from money in ship's fund. Crewmembers extended vote of thanks to steward department for job well done. Crew reported LNG Gemini responded to distress signal from crew of Minral Dampier. Following five-hour search of area, nothing was recovered. Next port: Nagoya, Japan. PAUL BUCK(Ocean Shipholding), July 2-Chainnan Luke Wells, Secretary Dwight Wuerth, Educational Director James Robbins, Engine Delegate Jonathan Newhouse, Steward Delegate Al Young. Chairman stated new washer and dryer needed for crew laundry. He advised crew of return flight arrangements being made which will be relayed once ship arrives in port. Bosun thanked galley gang for excellent cookouts. Educational director reminded crew to attend tanker operations course at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew asked contracts department to look into issuing members insurance photo I.D.s so they can go to hospitals without problem. Chairman asked crew to consider others on board by using Hook-up on the Hudson proper washing machines and dryers for work clothes. /TB JACKSONVILLE (Sheridan Transportation), August 27-Chairman Walter Petty, Secretary Rayfield Crawford, Educational Director Jurgen Gottschlich, Deck Delegate Hans Gottschlich, Steward Delegate Luis Escobar. Chairman urged crewmembers to upgrade at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman advised crew of new regulations for tankennen and stressed importance of taking Lundeberg School's tanker operations course. Crew thanked steward department for job weU done. LAWRENCE H. GIANELLA (Ocean Shipholding), August 29Chairman Rudy Santos, Secretary James Lewis, Deck Delegate Scott Snodgrass, Engine Delegate Joe Walker, Steward Delegate S. Suraredjo. Chairman reported $170 in ship's fund. Secretary asked contracts department to make sure company provides adequate supply of fresh fruit and vegetables and sufficient amount of milk to last entire trip. Chairman reminded crew to attend tanker operations course at Piney Point. PAUL BUCK (Ocean Shipholding), August 27-Chairman John Koneles, Secretary Dwight Wuerth, Educational Director James Robbins, Deck Delegate Todd McClane, Engine Delegate Lionel Lee, Steward Delegate David Smith. Chairman noted new mattresses would come on board in Houston, while dryers and VCR would be requested upon arrival. He reminded crewmembers to attend tanker operations course by next year. Secretary informed crew that reports of tanker operations course being offered at Paul Hall Center have been very favorable. Educational director encouraged all members to attend upgrading classes at Lundeberg School. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Next port: Norfolk, Va. SEA-LAND DISCOVERY (SeaLand Service), August 28-Chairman J.R. Wilson, Secretary Brenda Kamiya, Educational Director Robert Martinez, Deck Delegate Monte Grimes, Engine Delegate Jorge Bermeo, Steward Delegate Jorge Salazar. Chairman discussed sending letter to contracts department concerning sailing days per trip. Bosun thanked all unlicensed crewmembers and stated he hoped to sail with such outstanding SIU members again. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Steward delegate thanked crew for separating plastics from other trash. Crew thanked steward department for job well done. Next port: Oakland, Calif. Bosun Jerry Borucki operates the OM/ Hudson's crane during hook-up of the aft cargo hoses at Union Oil Co. in Richmond, Calif. SEA-LAND EXPLORER (SeaLand Service), August 28-Chairman William Lough, Secretary William Burdette, Educational Director Bozidar Balic. Engine delegate reported disputed OT. No beefs or disputed OT noted by deck or steward department delegates. Crew reported water in crew's quarters too hot for comfortable showers. Crew noted captain ordered gangway secured in position that blocks lifeboats. Crew thanked galley gang for job well done. Next port: Long Beach, Calif. SEA-LAND RELIANCE (SeaLand Service), August 27-Chairman Dennis Brown, Secretary Gene Sivley, Educational Director Steve Biglow, Deck Delegate George Vukmir, Engine Delegate Prentiss Smith, Steward Delegate Dien Short. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew extended vote of thanks to steward department for job well done. Next port: Tacoma, Wash. CHARLESTON (Apex Marine), September 21-Chainnan Anthony Maben, Secretary German Rios, Educational Director G. Demetropoulos, Steward Delegate James Harris. Chairman noted patrolman to meet ship in Charleston, S.C. for payoff. Secretary discussed importance of SPAD in upcoming elections and asked members to support union in all activities. Educational director urged crew to take tanker operations course at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Educational director gave special vote of thanks to galley gang for fine job. Next port: Jacksonville, Fla. CLEVELAND (Sealift, Inc.), September 17-Chainnan D.J. Garoutte, Secretary M. Vinca, Educational Director I.S. Samra, Deck Delegate Paul Cadran, Engine Delegate Steve Sanches, Steward Delegate Carlos Sierra. Chairman discussed Alaskan oil legislation and noted passage will mean more jobs for American seamen. He reminded crewmembers if they have shipboard problems to report them to department delegates. He advised crew to dispose of trash in proper containers. Secretary asked crew to separate plastic items from other refuse. Educational director urged members to upgrade at Paul Hall Center. Treasurer announced $105 in ship's fund . No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman asked crew to keep laundry room clean and noise down. Next port: Diego Garcia. LNG CAPRICORN (ETC), September 24-Chainnan Charles Kahl, Secretary Dana Paradise, Educational Director Otis Sessions, Deck Delegate Richard Lewis, Engine Delegate Robert Rice. Chairman commended crew for fine voyage. He thanked all hands for performing in "best SIU tradition." Secretary informed crew that vacation forms are on board ship. Educational director encouraged crewmembers to upgrade and better their skills at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Treasurer announced $220 in ship's fund. Crew asked for improved communications with union headquarters. Crew thanked galley gang for delicious steak dinner. Next port: Nagoya, Japan. LNG GEMINI (ETC), September 3-Chairman Philip Parisi, Secretary Kris Hopkins, Educational Director William Twiford, Deck Delegate Paul Jagger, Engine Delegate Thomas Flynn, Steward Delegate Patricia Ballance. Secretary explained sanitation process for ship's second deck. Educational delegate urged members to upgrade and take advantage of educational oppor. tunities at Piney Point. Treasurer announced $400 in ship's fund. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman asked crewmembers to help keep lounge clean and avoid slamming doors, which disturbs those sleeping on first and second decks. Next port: Bontang, Indonesia. OVERSEAS OHIO (Maritime Overseas), September 24-Chairman Gregory Hamilton, Secretary Earl Gray Sr., Educational Director Scott Wilkinson, Deck Delegate Bill Barrett, Engine Delegate Gregory Johns, Steward Delegate R. Lee. Chairman told crewmembers there will be ice forming on deck this trip and advised them to use extra care. He informed crew arctic gear would be issued soon. Bosun encouraged crewmembers to remain politically active by writing congressmen and urging them to support H.R 1350, the maritime revitalization bill. Secretary explained that survival of maritime depends on members staying politically active. He spoke to crew about need for members to write Congress to support maritime bills. Educational director noted importance of upgrading at Paul Hall Center and attending tanker operations course. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew reminded to read monthly President's Report in LOG. Crew extended vote of thanks to galley gang for job well done. Next port: Valdez, Alaska. OVERSEAS PHILADELPHIA (Maritime Overseas), September asked contracts department to look into more timely reimbursement of medical expenses for members and families. SEA-LAND ATLANTIC (SeaLand Service), September 24Chairman William Stoltz, Secretary Edward Porter, Educational Director Ralph Garner. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew asked that new ice machine be fixed upon arrival in port of Port Elizabeth, N .J. SEA-LAND CONSUMER (SeaLand Service), September 5Chairman Norberto Prats, Secretary Mark Holley. Educational director advised crewmembers of importance of upgrading at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed Service With a Smile Aboard the Bobo Adding a few last-minute ingredients is all that remains to complete preparations for another meal aboard the 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo. Chief Steward Dorray Saberon took this picture of his fellow galley gang members on the Amsea vessel. They are (from left, front row) Chief Cook Santa Paturzo, SA Darlene Cherry, Cook/Baker Sharon Herner, (back row) SA Toro Jerson and SA Bruce Davidson. 10-Chainnan Tim Olvany, Secretary Mark Flores, Educational Director Patrick Coppola, Deck Delegate Justo Lacayo, Engine Delegate Spencer Smith, Steward Delegate Angel Correa. Chairman announced upcoming payoff and asked crewmembers to clean rooms before leaving ship. Bosun encouraged members to donate to SPAD to keep maritime a high priority in Congress. Secretary reminded crew to remain aware of union and maritime activities by reading Seafarers LOG. Educational director urged crew to write congressmen for their support for maritime legislation. He also stressed importance of upgrading skills at Lundeberg School. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chafrman reminded crewmembers not to smoke in mess hall during meal hours. Crew asked contracts department to look into reducing time needed for pension. Crew thanked steward department for job well done. Crewmembers observed moment of silence for departed SIU brothers and sisters. PAUL BUCK (Ocean Shipholding), September 17-Chairrnan John Koneles, Secretary Dwight Wuerth, Educational Director James Robbins, Deck Delegate Gary Nogel, Engine Delegate Lionel Lee, Steward Delegate David Smith. Crew discussed upgrading lounge VCR to multisystem model so American movies can be purchased and viewed overseas. Chairman noted payoff in Norfolk, Va. Secretary reported reliefs due aboard ship on October 4 in Puerto Rico. Educational director reminded members to attend tanker operations course at Piney Point. He also discussed U.S. Coast Guard tankerman's endorsements. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Chairman read crew latest tanker operations course information in Seafarers LOG . Crew OT reported. Steward delegate asked crew to keep doors to mess room locked while in port. Crew gave vote of thanks to galley gang for job well done. Next port: Elizabeth, N.J. SEA-LAND PRODUCER (SeaLand Service), September 3Chajrman Ken McGregor, Secretary George Boop, Educational Director Robert Hamil, Deck Delegate Larry Reiner. Chairman reported entire Sea-Land Producer crew sent letters to their senators and representatives in Congress, urging support for H.R. 1350 and S. J 139, the maritime revitalization bills. Bosun.· thanked deck delegate Reiner for promoting shipwide letter-writing campaign. He additionally stressed importance of contributing to SPAD. He also thanked deck department for job well done in cargo holds. Educational director stressed importance of tanker operations course at Paul Hall Center. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew extended "very well deserved" vote of thanks to steward department for excellent food and smiling faces. SGT. MATEJ KOCAK(Waterman Steamship), September 3Chairman Angelo Urti, Secretary Lonnie Gamble, Educational Director Donald Peterson, Engine Delegate Robert Hines Jr., Steward Delegate Kenneth Greenidge. Chairman announced payoff upon arrival in Morehead City, N.C. on September S. Educational director advised crewmembers to upgrade skills at Piney Point. No beefs or disputed OT reported. Crew thanked union headquarters for sending ship copies of Seafarers LOG, which keeps them informed on union news. Chairman gave personal thanks to galley gang, engine and deck departments for jobs well done. �SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 19 Final Departures DEEP SEA JAMES W. CARTER Pensioner James W . Carter, 91, died August 7 . The Alabama native started his career with the SIU in 1944 in the port of Mobile, Ala. Brother Carter shipped in the steward department, last sailing as a chief cook. He began receiving his pen sion in March 1968. HOWARD F. CLARK Howard F. Clark, 60, passed away September 10. Born in South Dakota, he joined the Seafarers in 1966 in the port of San Francisco. Brother Clark sailed in the steward department. He graduated from the bosun recertification course in 1979 at the union's training facility, the Lundeberg School, in Piney Point, Md. From 1953 to 1957, he served in the U.S. Navy. EDWARD ''EDDIE" DALE Pensioner Edward "Eddie" Dale, 68, passed away August 27. Brother Dale graduated from the Andrew Furuseth Training School, which provided entry-level skills, in 1962 and joined the Seafarers in the port of New York. The Alabama native sailed in the steward department and completed the steward recertification course in J980 at the Lundcberg School. From 1945 to 1955, he served in the U.S. Army. Brother Dale retired in November 1989. JACOBO ENRIQUEZ Pensioner Jacobo Enriquez, 88, passed away July 21. He began his sailing career with the union in ====== 1941 in the port of New York. Brother Enriquez shipped in the steward department and was active in various union organizing drives. Born in Puerto Rico, Brother Enriquez began receiving his pension in September 1972. LYNWOOD FITZGERALD Pensioner Lynwood Fitzgerald, 71, passed away July 11. Born in Virginia, he -1 b~gan sailing ·, with the - Seafarers in 1948 from the port of Baltimore. Brother Fitzgerald sailed in the engine department and upgraded frequently at the Lundeberg School. From 1944 to 1946, he served in the U.S. Navy. Brother Fitzgerald began receiving his pension in June 1981. 1957. He began receiving his pension in February 1986. ALBERT J.MARTINELLI Pensioner Albert J. Martinelli, 73, passed away June 7. Brother Martinelli joined the SIU in 1943 in the .___ _ _ ___, port of Baltimore. He sailed in the engine department and upgraded to QMED at the Lundeberg School. EDWARD S. FRIEDERICK The Pennsylvania native was acPensioner Edward S. Friederick, tive in union organizing drives. 88, passed away February 17. He began receiving his pension Brother Friederick started his sail- in December 1984. ing career with the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1945, before that RAYMOND V. McDONALD union merged with the SIU' s Raymond V. AGLIWD. Born in South McDonald, Dakota, Brother Friederick lived 55, died in Oregon and retired in June April 20. He 1969. began his career with WILLIAM A.C. GRAVES the SIU in Pensioner William A.C. Graves, the 1960s in 68, died August 28. A native of the p01t of Canada, he started his career Boston. The with the Marine Cooks and Massachusetts native sailed in Stewards in 1959 in the port of the deck department in the inland New York, before that union division. He completed the towmerged with the SIU's boat operator course in 1978 and AGLIWD. Brother Graves received his towboat operator's retired in October 1977. license. From 1979 to 1983, Brother McDonald served as a union representative in the GEORGE E. HAYS Tampa and Jacksonville, Fla. George E. ports. Afterwards, Brother McHays, 44, Don ald returned to shipping on passed away deep sea vessels. From 1958 to July 21. 1961 , he served in the U.S. Born in KenMarine Corps. tucky, he began sailing DONALD C. McGLYNN with the Seafarers in Donald C. 1980 from McGlynn, the port of Honolulu. Brother 22, passed Hays shipped in the engine away July 25 deprutment and upgraded to as a result of QMED at the Lundeberg School. a drowning He served in the U.S. Navy from accident with 1972 to 1976. Seafarer Bryan Terry '---'--===----=~-=--;;,_,J near Hilo, HERBERT 0. LEAKE Hawaii. Brother McGlynnjoined I Pensioner the Seafarers in 1992 in the port HerbertO. of Honolulu. He sailed in both Leake, 63, the steward and deck departpassed away ments aboard American Hawaii September Cruises' ships. 17. Brother Leake SILAS M. McGOWAN graduated from the Pensioner Silas M. Mc----'===----' Andrew Gowan, 66, Furuseth Training School in died July 8. I 961 and joined the union in the Born in p011 of New York. Born in VirTexas, he ginia, he sailed in the deck began sailing department and completed the with the bosun recertification course in union in l 975 at the Lundeberg School. L___.!!!o_~'----~__Jl945from During his career with the SIU, he was active in several union or- the port of New Orleans. Brother McGowan shipped as a member ganizing drives. From 1949 to of the deck department, last sail1952, he served in the U.S. Army. Brother Leake retired in ing as a bosun. From 1950 to 1952, he served in the U.S. February 1992. Army. Brother McGowan retired in July 1991. JOSEMADUREI ELIAS MENDOZA Pensioner Pensioner Jose Elias MenMadurei, 78, doza, 84, died August passed away 13. Brother July 18. He Madurei started his , started his ~ / career with - · career with the Seafarers the Seafarers in 1952 in -~==== in 1944 in '---"------~--=-..~ the port of the port of Baltimore. He sailed Galveston, Texas. Brother Mena s a member of the deck departdoza sailed as a member of the ment. Born in Brazil, he became engine department. Born in a naturalized U.S. citizen in JIRODEWA Pensioner Jiro Dewa, 77, died August 7. He started sailing with the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1939 from the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District (AGLIWD). Born in Hawaii, Brother Dewa began receiving his pension in February 1980. • .v-, Mexico, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He began receiving his pension in November 1983. union merged with the SIU' s AGLIWD. Brother Reed began receiving his pension in June 1969. CHEEMOHAT LEWIS W. ROBERTS Pensioner LewisW. Roberts, 77, passed away August 3. He joined the Seafarers in 1946 in the port of Bos=='---=~~~ ton. Brother Roberts last sailed as a bosun in the deck department. From 1942 to 1944, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Born in Pennsylvania, he retired in November 1984. Pensioner Chee Mohat, 94, died August 6. Born in the Philippines, Brother Mohat joined the SIU in '-""""'---'"'-==-'-'-~~~ 1943 in the port of New York. He last sailed as a bosun in the deck department. Brother Mohat began receiving his pension in January 1967. BENJAMIN RUCKER Pensioner Benjamin Rucker, 77, died August 4. Bornin Georgia, he began sailing with the SIU in 1944 from the port of New York. Brother Rucker shipped in the steward department, last sailing as a chief steward. He lived in Texas and retired in July 1983. SERGIO MORALES . Pensioner I Sergio Morales, 69, passed away ' September 4. Brother , _ . · Morales started his career with = === the Seafarers in 1979 in the port of New York. He sailed in the steward department and upgraded his skills at the Lundeberg School. Brother Morales last sailed as a chief cook during the Gulf War. Born in Puerto Rico, Brother Morales retired in June 1992. GENE J. RUSSELL Pensioner Gene J. Russell, 74, passed away August 14. Brother Russell joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards (MCS) in the port of New York, before that union merged with the SIU' s AGLIWD. He sailed during World War II, then returned to New York as an MSC union representative. After the New York MSC port closed, he returned to sea. Born in Pennsylvania, Brother Russell began receiving his pension in January 1992. BERNARD MOSES Pensioner Bernard Moses, 87, died August 7. He joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU' s AGLIWD. Born in New York, Brother Moses began receiving his pension in July 1968. LOUIS NAVARRO Pensioner Louis Navarro, 92, passed away May 28. Born in South America, he began his career with the Marine Cooks and Stewards in the late 1940s, before that union merged with the Sill's AGLIWD. Brother Navarro began receiving his pension in March 1971. WILLIAM H. PARISH Pensioner William H. Parish, 72, died August 31. Brother Parish joined the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1946 in the port of San Francisco, before that union merged with the SIU's AGLIWD. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941to1944. Brother Parish retired in October 1979. RAFAEL D. SANTIAGO Pensioner Rafael D. Santiago, 84, died August 10. A native of Puerto Rico, he started his career with the Marine Cooks and Stewards in 1958, before that union merged with the SIU' s · AGLIWD. Brother Santiago retired in June 1969. I I ' SAMUEL A. SEAGER ! Pensioner Samuel A. Seager, 78, i passed away September 30. 'I Brother Seager joined the Marine ; Cooks and Stewards (MSC) in I 1952 in the port of San Francis! co, before that union merged i with the SIU's AGLIWD. He sailed in both the steward and . deck departments. From 1964 to · 1966, Brother Seager served as a KARLJ.RANA port agent for the MCS and he Pensioner was a member of the merger comKarl J. Rana, mittee in 1978 which advanced 90, died Sep- the plan for bringing the MCS tember 3. into the SIU's AGLIWD. Born in He joined the New York, he began receiving Seafarers in his pension in January 1986. 1947 in the port of New ALFREDO SICAN SR. Orleans. Alfredo Brother Rana Sican Sr., 88, sailed as a member of the died August steward department. Born in 21. He began Norway, he became a naturalized sailing with U.S. citizen. He retired in the Seafarers February 1970. in 1961 from the port of Seattle. SAMUEL A. REED SR. Born in the Pensioner Samuel A. Reed Sr., Philippines, Brother Sican 74, passed away June 19. Born shipped as a member of the deck in Texas, he started his career department. with the Marine Cooks and Co11tiliued on page 20 Stewards in 1945, before that 1 1 �,....-------- - - - 20 -- - - -~-- - NOVEMBER 1995 SEAFARERS LOG Final Departures Continued from page 19 MARTIN SIERRA 1945 in the port of New Orleans. The engine department member upgraded at the Lundeberg School. Born in Estonia, Brother Taska retired in August 1971. BRYAN TERRY Pensioner Bryan Terry, Martin Sier20, drowned ra, 71, July 25 with passed away Seafarer August 11. Donald McBorn in PennGlynn near sylvania, he Hilo on the joined the island of union in 1.---=====--_J 1941 in the .....____,......_ ~~_J Hawaii. Brother port of New York. Brother SierTerry graduated from the Lunra sailed in the steward departdeberg School's entry level proment. From 1941to1947, he gram for seamen in February served in the U.S. Navy. Brother 1995 and joined the SIU in the Sierra retired in September 1986. port of Piney Point, Md. He sailed as a member of the deck FRANCIS E. SMITH department. Born in Oregon, he Francis E. made his home in Washington Smith, 71, state. died July 25. A native of MANUEL N. TIGMO Maryland, he Pensioner began sailing ·Manuel N. with the SIU Tigmo, 79, in 1947 from died August the port of 17. He .__=.;:__===-==-___, Baltimore. began sailing Brother Smith sailed in the with the SIU steward department and comin 1947 from pleted the steward recertification the port of course at the Lundeberg School in 1980. A World War II veteran, =----=.:---~-f> New York. Brother Tigmo shipped in the he served in the U.S. Marine steward department, last sailing Corps from 1942 to 1945. as a chief cook. Born in the Philippine Islands, he began his JOSEPH W. SPEARMAN retirement in August 1982. Joseph W. Spearman, RICARDO E. VASQUEZ 42, passed Ricardo E. away June Vasquez, 58, 22. Brother passed away Spearman July 27. graduated Brother from the LunVasquez deberg started his School's career with entry program in 1978 and joined the Seafarers the SIU in the port of Piney = - - - - ' in 1968 in Point, Md. The Maryland native t he port of New York. The sailed in the engine department. Panamanian native sailed in both the engine and steward departGLEN C. STANFORD ments. Pensioner Glen C. StanHAROLD L. WEA VER ford, 68, passed away Pensioner July 27. He Harold L. began sailing Weaver, 72, with the died July 11. Seafarers in Born in Mis1948 from sissippi, he the port of began sailing New Orleans. The Mississippi nawith the SIU tive shipped in the deck departin 1951 from ment and completed the bosun ---"'--"--"-"=~__Jtheportof recertification course in 1975 at Mobile, Ala. Brother Weaver the Lundeberg School. From shipped in both the deep sea and 1945 to 1946, he served in the i nland divisions. As a member of U.S. Army. Brother Stanford the deck department, he comretired in January 1989. pleted the bosun recertification course at the Lundeberg School i n 1974. Brother Weaver lived JOHNR. TALBOT i n Alabama and began receiving Pensioner his pension in September 1986. John R. Talbot, 73, died August 18. RAYMOND K. WEEDEN Born in Penn- RaymondK. sylvania, he Weeden,45, joined the passed away SIU in 1943 April 3. in the port of Brother Baltimore. 1 Weeden Brother Talbot was a member of .. began sailing the deck department. He last with the sailed as a bosun before retiring ' · union in in July 1977. I_c..::.::.===== 1968. He shipped in the steward departNICKOLAI TASKA ment, last sailing as a chief Pensioner s teward. Born in California, Nickolai Brother Weeden made his home Taska, 79, 111 Nevada. passed away July 10. EARL WILLIS Brother p ensioner Earl Willis, 70, passed Taska started away September 16. Born in his career West Virginia, he began sailing with the with the SIU in 1956 from the Seafarers in port of Baltimore. Brother Willis shipped in the engine department and served as a delegate to the SIU's 1970 educational crew conference held at the Lundeberg School. From 1945 to 1950, he served in the U.S. Army. Brother Willis began receiving his pension in November 1988. INLAND ROBERT J. ALDRIDGE Pensioner RobertJ. Aldridge, 70, passed away July 30. Born in Kansas, he began sailing with the Seafarers '------"'="---====in 1957 from the port of Houston. Boatman Aldridge sailed as a mate and captain. From 1943 to 1946, he served in the U.S. Navy. Boatman Aldridge began receiving his pension in July 1983. PATRICK E. DYEL PatrickE. Dyel, 34, passed away August 18 after a long fight with cancer. He graduated from the Lun......__.........._ .......~... deberg School's entry level program for seamen in 1979 and began sailing with the Seafarers from the port of Piney Point, Md. BoatIJlan Dyel sailed in the deck department. Born in New York, he resided in Florida. Boatman Dyel' s wish to have his ashes scattered in the Gulf of Mexico was honored and carried out by his shipmates aboard the Energy Altair on September 1. DONALD H. KIRK Pensioner DonaldH. Kirk, 72 passed away August24. Born in New York, he started his career with the Seafarers in 1968 in the port of Baltimore. Boatman Kirk was a licensed master. He advanced in the deck department from mate to captain and worked primarily aboard Curtis Bay Towing Co. vessels in Baltimore. He began receiving his pension in November 1984. ALEX LeBLANC Pensioner Alex LeBlanc, 76, died May 23. He joined the SIU in 1970 in the port of Port Arthur, Texas. The Louisiana native sailed as a tugboat captain. Boatman LeBlanc retired in March 1984. L:.._-====== HOLMES S. MORRISON JR, Holmes S. Morrison Jr., 53, passed away August 30. Born in New York, he started his career with the Seafarers in 1977 in the port ofHous ton. Boatman Morrison sailed as a member of ..__~~.;;.;;....~.;...;....;...___,thedeck department. BACHE G. PARKS Boatman Warmack shipped in the deck department • in both the inland and deep sea divisions. From 1942 to 1945,he served in the U.S. Navy. Born in G~orgia, he began receiving his pension in March 1989. BacheG. JOHN WOZUNK JR. Parks, 58, Pensioner died SeptemJohn ber 3. BoatWozunkJr., man Parks 61, died ' joined the August 1. SIU in 1982 Born in New in the port of Jersey, he Piney Point, joined the Md. The Vir' SIU in 1964 ginia native sailed as a member <.::.-==-----==--~' in the port of of the deck department. From Philadelphia. Boatman Wozunk 1955 to 1958, he served in the sailed in the deck department and U.S. Navy. upgraded at the Lundeberg School to earn his pilot's license. REGINAL M. PASUR From 1952 to 1954, he served in Pensioner the U.S. Navy. Boatman Wozunk ReginalM. retired in November 1990. Pasur, 70, passed away GREAT LAKES September 30. A native KIRK D. BUSHELL of Texas, he started his KirkD. career with Bushell, 33, the Seafarers died June 14. in 1957 in the port of Houston, The Michisailing as a member of the deck gan native department. He served in the joined the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. SIU in 1980 Boatman Pasur began receiving in the port of ' his pension in September 1990. Piney Point, ! Md. Brother Bushell sailed in the engine deJOHN R. SHORES partment and upgraded his skills Pensioner regularly at the Lundeberg School. John R. · ·Shores, 86, died Septem- EDWARD J. GALLAGHER ber 4. Born Pensioner Edin Maryland, ward J. Galhe started his lagher, 75, career with passed away the Seafarers September 5. ..___ _ _ _~__, in 1960 in Born in the port of Philadelphia. BoatOhio, he man Shores sailed in the deck began sailing department and began receiving with the SIU his pension in January 1974. ======:=:::...:-~===--=in1968from the port of Cleveland. Brother Gallagher shipped as a member SYDNEY A. SIMMONS of the deck department. From Sydney A. 1943 to 1945, he served in the Simmons, U.S. Navy. Brother Gallagher 73, passed began receiving his pension in away June March 1983. 16. A native of Maryland, CURTIS L. SOUTHWICK he joined the SIU in 1972 Pensioner in the port of Curtis L. .___ _ _ _ ___, Baltimore. Southwick, Boatman Simmons was a 69, passed licensed pilot. He sailed in the away August deck department and advanced 11. Born in from mate to relief captain. He Pennsyllived in Maryland. vania, he lo started sailing with the ELLIOTT H. STEVENS Pensioner El- union in 1944 from the port of New York. Brother Southwick liott H. shipped in the deck department. Stevens, 63, He was a resident of Indiana and passed away r etired in October 1990. August 5. Born in VirRAILROAD MARINE ginia, he started bis career with T.W.FORREST the SIU in Pensioner 1966 in the port of Norfolk, Va. T.W. Forrest, Boatman Stevens sailed primari74, died Seply as a launch operator aboard tember 14. boats operated by the AssociaA native of tion of Maryland Pilots . From Virginia, he 1950 to 1956, he served in the joined the U.S. Army. Boatman Stevens SIU in 1960 retired in June 1990. in the port of -----'----~ Norfolk, Va. SIDNEYM. WARMACK B rother Forrest sailed in the deck department. From 1942 to 1946, Pensioner Sidney M. Warmack, he served in the U.S. Navy. 71, passed away August 6. He B rother Forrest began receiving started his career with the SIU in hi s pension in October 1981. 1971 in the port of Philadelphia. l ~ 1 �SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 Heinz Pet Products Company: Heinz Pet Products Products made by UIW members: Pet foods. Brand names include 9-Lives, Skippy, Gravy Train, Ken-L Ration and others. UIW members at Heinz: Involved in all facets of producing and canning pet foods. Distribution: Nationwide Facilities: Two adjacent plants in Terminal Island, Calif. covering 1 million square feet. That's a fact: The popular success of Heinz's pet foods recently led the company to hire hundreds of new UIW members at the Southern California plant. 21 Summary Annual Report for MCS Supplementary Pension Plan This is a summary of the annual report of the MCS Supplementary Pension Plan, EIN 51-6097856, Plan No. 001, for the period January 1, 1994 through December 31, 1994. The annual report has been filed with the Internal Revenue Service, as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Basic Financial Statement Benefits under the plan are provided through a trust fund and insurance. Plan expenses were $952, 188. These expenses included $181,280 in administrative expenses and $770,908 in benefits paid to participants and beneficiaries. A total of l,771 persons were participants in or beneficiaries of the plan at the end of the plan year, although not all of these persons had yet earned the right to receive benefits. The value of plan assets, after subtracting liabilities of the plan, was $11,202,695 as of December 31, 1994, compared to $11,963,391 as of January 1, 1994. During the plan year, the plan experienced a decrease in its net assets of$760,696. This decrease includes unrealized appreciation and depreciation in the value of the plan assets: that is, the difference between the value of the plan's assets at the end of the year and the value of the assets at the beginning of the year or the cost of any assets acquired during the year. The plan had a total income of $191,492, including realized losses of $144,485 from the sale of assets and earnings from investments of $335,977. Minimum Funding Standards An actuary's statement shows that enough money was contributed to the plan to keep it funded in accordance with the minimum funding standards of ERIS A. w. hen Seafarers purchase products made and packaged at the Heinz Pet Products plant in Terminal Island, Calif., they not only buy the best pet foods but also put their dollars to work for themselves and their fellow trade unionists. That's because the factory workers at Heinz Pet Products are members of the United Industrial Workers (UIW), a union affiliated with the Seafarers International Union. UIW members handle a number of responsibilities at Heinz, many of which are labor-intensive. They work as canners, forklift drivers, mechanics, quality control inspectors and more. Their duties include stacking cases and moving pallets; maintenance and repair of modem equipment used for cooking, cooling, packaging and labeling; lab-testing of the pet food for proper content (including nutrients); operation of presses which are used to form can-lids; operation of lining machines which produce the remainder of the can; checking to make sure the cans are properly labeled, sealed and dentfree; loading the products for shipment; and other work such as operating the large, continuous cookers. Your Rights to Additional Information UIW member Miro Rosini adjusts a valve at the Heinz plant in Terminal Island, Calif .The UIW is an affiliate of the Seafarers International Union. You have the right to receive a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, on request The items listed below are included in that report: 1. an accountant's report, 2. assets held for investment, 3. transaction in excess of 5 percent of plan assets, 4. insurance information, including sales commissions paid by insurance carriers, 5. actuarial information regarding the funding of the plan, and 6. service provider and trustee information. To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, write or call the office of Mr. Lou Delma, who is the plan administrator, at Trustees of the MCS Supplementary Pension Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746; telephone (301) 899-0675. The charge to cover copying costs will be $3.50 for the full annual report or $.10 per page for any part thereof. You also have the right to receive from the plan administrator, on request and at no charge, a statement of the assets and liabilities of the plan and accompanying notes, or a statement of income and expenses of the plan and accompanying notes, or both. If you request a copy of the full annual report from the plan administratcr, these two statements and accompanying notes will be included as part of that report. The charge to cover copying costs given above does not include a charge for the copying of these portions of the report because these portions are furnished without charge. You also have the legally protected right to examine the annual report at the main office of the plan (Trustees of the MCS Supplementary Pension Plan, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746) and at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., or to obtain a copy from the U.S. Department of Labor upon payment of copying costs. Requests to the Department should be addressed to: Public Disclosure Room, N-5638, Pension and Welfare Benefit Administration, Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210. Know Your Rights FINANCIAL REPORTS. The constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership's money and union finances. The constitution requires a detailed audit by certified public accountants every year, which is to be submitted to the membership by the secretaiytreasmer. A yearly finance committee of rank-and-file members, elected by the membership, each year examines the finances of the union and reports fully their findings and recommendations. Members of this committee may make dissenting reports, specific recommendations and separate findings. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. by contracts between the union and the employers. Members should get to know their shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all union halls. If members believe there have been vi o la tio ns of their shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the union and the employers, they should notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Augustin Tellez, Chairman Seafarers Appeals Board 520 l Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746 Full copies of contracts as referred toareavailabletomembersatalltimes, either by writing directly to the union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts specify the wages and conditions under which an SIU member works and lives aboard a ship or boat. Members should know their contract rights, as well as their obligations, such as filing for overtime (O'I) on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, a member believes that an SIU patrolman or other union official fails to protect their contractual rights properly, he or she SHIPPING RIGHTS. A should contact the nearest SIU port member's shipping rights and agent. seniority are protected exclusively EDITORIAL POLICY - THE SEAFARERS LOG. The members should obtain copies of men and the advancement of trade Seafarers LOG traditionally has refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individualintheunion,officerormemher. It also has refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September 1%0 meetings in all constitutional ports. The responsibility for Seafarers WG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the executive board of the union. 'The executive board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt. but feels that he or she should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reported to union headquarters. C0 NST IT UT I0 NAL this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time a member feels any other member or officer is attempting to deprive him or her of any constitutional right or obligation by any methods, such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. EQUAL RIGHTS. All members are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU constitution and in the contracts which the union has negotiated with the employers. Consequently, no member may be di!aiminated against because of race, creed, color, sex, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that he or she is denied the equal rights to which he or she is entitled, the member should notify union headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATION SPAD. SPAD is a separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are used to further its objects and purposes including, but not limited to, furthering the political, social and economic interests of maritime workers, the preservation and furRIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. thering of the American merchant Copies of the SIU constitution are marine with improved employment available in all union halls. All opportunities for seamen and boat- union concepts. In connection with such objects, SPAD supports and contributes to political candidates for elective office. All contributions are yoluntary. No contribution may be solicited or received because of force, job discrimination, financial reprisal, or threat of such conduct, or as a condition of membership in the union or of employment. If a contribution is made by reason of the above improperconduct, the member should notify the Seafarers International Union or SPAD by certified mail within 30 days of the contribution for investigation and appropriate action and refund, if involuntary. A member should support SPAD to protect and further his or her economic, political and social interests, and American trade union concepts. NOTIFYING THE UNIONIf at any time a member feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he or she has been denied the constitutional right of access to union records or information, the member should immediately notify SIU President Michael Sacco at headquarters by certified mail, return receipt requested. The address is: Michael Sacco, President Seafarers International Union 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. �22 SEAFARERS LOG NOVEMBER 1995 Lundeberg School Graduating Classes l >:~T.>~-1 1 LIF EBOAT CL ASS ~..'"'~-'t:·\: Trainee Lifeboat Class 541-Graduating from trainee lifeboat class 541 are (from left, kneeling) Jason Taylor, Neil Bond, James White, Dustin Wilson, Anthony Sumlar, (second row) Bob Boyle (instructor), David Wakeman, Cory Cothren, Sean Connor, Grady Deaton and Theodore Hale. Refri~eration Systems-Marking their completion on "October 6 from the refrigeration systems class are Welding-Completing the welding course on (from left, kneeling) Troy Wood, Gregory Thomas, Henry August 24 are (from left, kneeling) Michael Kovach, Hall, (second row) Eric Malzkuhn (instructor), Ross Marcano Torre, (second row) Jack Caffey Jr., Richard Himebauch, Mark Lawrence, Frank Quebedeaux and FredAlrnojera and Jim Shaffer (instructor). die Hudson. Limited License-completing the two-week curriculum on August 1O which prepares students to take the Designated Duty Engineer (ODE) exam are (from left, kneeling) Tom Gilliland (instructor), Nicholas Conway, Pedro Marrero, George McClendon, (second row) Jim Brown (instructor), Randy Peterson, Richard Strongman, Joseph Whalen, Robert Funk, John Mullen, Alfredo Gonzalez and Henry Brown. Upgraders Lifeboat-Receiving their lifeboat endorsement on September 20 are (from left, kneeling) Carmelo de La Cruz, Rodrigo Jimenez, Steven Blumenthal, Fernando Onativia, Else David, Juan Green, Jaime Racpan, (second row) Noel Bocaya, Mario Ramiro, Robert Daniels, Eric Van Benthuysen, Ronald Whitefield, Theo Niang, Clarence Brown, John Venables, Silvio David and Bob Boyle (instructor). Tankerman OperationsSIU members completing the tankerman operations course on August 24 are (from left, front row) William Perry, Mario Romero, Inocencio Desaville, Bob Carle (instructor), Jerry Smith, Melvin Layner, (second row) Shawn Clark, Carlos Soto, John Hanrahan, Dale Sierra, Paul Szalus, Joseph Carrillo, Mark Stewart, Earl Macom, Jeff Turkus, (third row) Rafael Atehortua, Ervin Bronstein, Hilario Martinez, Tony Carvalho, Napoleon San Martin, Clay Brown, James Cunningham, Harold Caldeira, William Deloach, Michael Fields, Ferdinand Gongora, Rufus Hairston, James Dunne, Levi Rollins, (fourth row) Joel Trotter, Angelo PersicaJr., Bryan Iverson, Blair Humes, Michael Gramer, Spiridon Perdikis, Patrick Rankin,.- James Martin, Cleo Jones, David Garoutte, Roy Blankenship, Ronald Malozi, James Long, Davon McMillan, Forton Martinez and Paul Honeycutt. Tankerman Operations-On September 19, another group of Seafarers graduated from the tankerman operations course. They are (from left, front row) Lawrence Wright, Anthony Heinoldt, Christopher Hyatt, Neville Hughes, Guadalupe Garza, Gloria Holmes, Esther Wilkes, Mohamed Hussein, Inocencio Desaville, Luisito Balatbat, Nelson Morales, Donald Dilley, (second row) Byran Cummings (instructor), Jose Rodriguez, Anthony Garcia, Thomas Milovich, Jared Blavat, Donna DeCesare, Kenneth Long, Steve Kastel, Terry Magno, Karen Denney, Luis Escobar, Sharon Herner, John Knott, (third row) Wilmer McCants, Reginald Williams, Gerald Hyman, John Zepeda, Chartes Mispagel, Felipe Clotter, David McGrew, Shawn Williams, Jesus Gonzaga, Roberto Flauta, Andres Caballero, Tereso Rochez, Amanda Suncin, William Robles, (fourth row) Robert Seim, Rafael Matos, Mark Scardino, Frederick Meier, Curtis Dunlap, Richard Barnhart, Gregory Agren, Carson Jordan and James Willey. �NOVEMBER 1995 SEAFARERS LOG LUNDEBER6 SCHOOL 1995 -1996 UP6RADIN6 COURSE SCHEDULE Steward Upgrading Courses Start The following is the schedule for classes being held in November and December 1995-as well as some courses proposed for January, February and March of 1996-at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship located at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. All programs are geared to improve job skills of Seafarers and to promote the American maritime industry. Please note that 1996 courses listed here are tentative and do not include all classes planned for this period. Future issues of the LOG will carry a more complete listing for next yearJ s upgrading classes. The course schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership, the maritime industry and-in times of conflict-the nation's security. Please note that students should check in the Saturday before their course's start date. The courses listed here will begin promptly on the morning of the start dates. Deck Upgrading Courses Start Course Date Date of Completion Celestial Navigation November6 December15 Radar Observer/Unlimited March18 March22 Third Mate January29 May17 23 Course Date Date of Completion Assistant Cook/Cook and Baker, Chief Cook, Chief Steward November3 January26 Inland Courses Start Course Date Date of Completion Designated Duty Engineer/ Limited License/License Prep. November13 November24 Radar Obsener/lnland November6 November IO Engine Room Familiarization January 8 January19 Safely Specialty Courses Start Course Date Tanker Operations November 6 November 20 Engine Upgrading courses Start·· · January 8 Course Date Date of Completion QMED January 15 March31 Date of Completion December 1 December 15 February 2 NOTICE TO SEAFARERS March18 Welding ····"··Marine ElectriealMBintenancel April12 . · ·· March18 . April26 Diesel Engine Technology March 18 April 12 Power Plant Maintenance February S March15 ... This schedule includes a tentative list of classes for the first three months of 1996. The Lundeberg School is in the process of finalizing its complete course schedule for next year~ As soon as the dates are secured, the schedule will appear in upcoming issues of the Seafarers LOG. Meanwhile, members with any questions regarding future courses may call the school's admissions office at (301) 994-0010, ext. 5202. All students must take the Oil Spill Prevention and Containment class. Ul'GRADING APl'LICATION With this application, COPIES ofyour discharges must be submitted slwwing suffi- cient time to qua.lify yourselffor the course(s) requested. You also must submit a COPY Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ (Last) (First) (Middle) Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~~~~~~~~~~~-~ (Street) (Zip Code) (State) (City) Dare of Birth _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Telephone_..__ __.__ _ _ _ __ (Month/Day/Year) (Area Code) Deep Sea Member D of each ofthe following: the first page ofyour union book indicating your department and seniority, your clinic card and the front and back ofyour ..z-card as well as your Lundeberg Sclwol identification card listing the course(s) you have taken and completed. 1he admissions office WJU NOT schedule you until all of the above are received. BEGIN END DATE DATE COURSE Inland Warers Member D Lakes Member D If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed. Social Security# Book#-------- S e n i o r i t y - - - - - - - - - - - - Department _ _ _ _ _ __ U.S. Citizen: D Yes D No Home Port -~----~~~~- Endorsement(s) or License(s) now h e l d - - - - - - - - - - - - - Are you a graduate of the SHLSS trainee program? DYes DNo If yes, class# - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DNo DYes Have you attended any SHLSS upgrading courses? If yes, course(s) taken _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Do you hold the U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman Endorsement? D Yes D No Firefighting: D Yes D No CPR: D Yes D No Primary language s p o k e n - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LAST VESSEL: - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rating:----Dare On: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Dare O f f : - - - - - - - - - SIGNATURE_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~DATE _ _ _ _ _ _ __ NOTE: Transportation will be paid in accordance with the scheduling letter only if you present original receipts and successfully complete the course. If you have any questions, contact your port agent before departing for Piney Point. RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: Lundeberg School of Seamanship, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075. 11/95 �SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT The summary of the annual report for the MCS Supplementary Pension Plan may be found on page 21 in this issue of the LOG Volume 57, Number 11 November 1995 By Air and by Sea Chief Steward Harris Relishes Dual Careers "Some individuals go through life never pursuing their dreams. But infallowing my dream, I have found inner peace and serenity. " (Editor's note: Chief Steward Marjorie Harris recently submitted the fallowing article and accompanying photo to the Seafarers LOG. "/would like to share a part of my unique and rewarding life with my fellow Seafarers," noted Harris, who sails from the port of Wilmington, N. C.) I have been a flight attendant with United Airlines and a member of the Association of Flight Attendants union for the past 24 years. Although it has been a very rewarding career, I have always longed to do more than just fly. I was raised in a middle-class family in San Pedro, Calif. and spent a lot of time around the sea. Many a weekend was spent sailing on my family's yacht. In retrospect, I realize those roots played a major role in what I would achieve later in life. Sailing with my father became second nature to me, and my father, by the way, was a sailmaker and an expert yachtsman who won many trophies for his sailing ability. I also occasionally used to hang around the docks with my father in Southern California as a child, watching the big ships ,, , ; come in. I always wondered what it would be like to work on one. More than once, I daydreamed about someday pulling into the harbor in Long Beach, Calif. riding on one of those big ships. But I've heard the saying, "Someday my ship will come in and I'll be at the airport!" I think it must have been written for me, because I do spend so much time at airports-and that's no place to catch a ship. Many years passed since I began working at United, but I didn't forget my seafaring dream. In fact, for quite a while, I lived it vicariously through my brother, Charles Morrison. He graduated from the California Maritime Academy and obtained a position with Sabine Towing (now Kirby). He eventually advanced to master. Finally, in the early 1990s, I decided it was time to act before it was too late. With the help of friends, I obtained my merchant mariner's document, and in 1992-at age 50-I shipped out as a member of the steward department. In order to do this, I took a four-month leave of absence from United Airlines and ventured off to my first ship, the SS Buyer. That day remains a vivid memory, something I never will forget. After several flights (starting in Long Beach), I finally arrived in Southport, N.C. It was late in the evening when I arrived. Never thinking that I would be boarding the ship by any other means than a gangway, I was in for one big surprise! Manulani from May to September. Since I began my new career with the SIU, I have worked on ships operated by The first lesson I learned Matson, OMI and IMC. I also was, don't ever wear a skirt or sailed on the cruise ship SS Indedress when meeting a ship. Inpendence. stead of climbing a gangway, I I have finally fulfilled my had to take a 30-minute ride on inner need to go to sea. It is in a rolling and surging launch. my blood, and I believe I will alThen I had to leap from the ways have this need to ride the launch onto the pilot ladder, in big ships. the black of night. I continue to take leaves from Despite the difficult start, the United every year. Sailing is a rest of that trip was great. I great change of pace fi'mn fly i:ng, reca11 feeling apprehensive, wondering if I could handle this and no matter how many times I new responsibility. But my ship- go to sea, nature is still breathtaking when you're out there. mates were wonderful, and Keeping up with both careers everything worked out. has been challenging, but very After accruing enough sea worthwhile. Some individuals time to obtain my membership go through life never pursuing book in the SIU, I traveled to ...;t_,,-' the Paul Hall Center's Seafarers their dreams. But in following my dream, I have found inner ~_,_ .., Harry Lundeberg School of ,..,,..;;;;;r-:_,......~~Seamanship . I upgraded to chief peace and serenity. ~-"""""-_:-:. ..J cook. Later, I upgraded to chief I have seen the sea when it is steward, and I am scheduled to stormy and wild, when it is take the tanker operation/safety quiet and serene, when it is dark course this month. and moody. And in all its This year I worked on the moods, I see myself. Marjorie Harris (center) has found happiness in dual careers as a flight attendant with United Airlines and a chief steward with the SIU. Above: Harris joins Chief Cook Jim Williamson (left) and Chief Steward Gerald Figg in the galley of the Manulani just prior to signing off the Matson ship. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1990-1999 Description An account of the resource Volumes LII-LXI Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993; Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource November 1995 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES NUEVO SAN JUAN CREWMEMBERS HELP KIDS’ DREAMS COME TRUE CONGRESS READY TO REVIEW BILL ALLOWING ALASKAN OIL EXPORTS ABOARD U.S. SHIPS SENATE O.K.’S FUNDS FOR U.S. SHIP BILL SWEENEY ELECTED AFL-CIO PRESIDENT MTD DELEGATES CALL FOR PASSAGE OF MARITIME REVITALIZATION EFFORT NEW USCG TANKERMAN REGULATIONS AFFECT ABS, PUMPMEN AND INLAND TANKERMEN DELTA QUEEN HEAD DENOUNCES ATTACKS ON U.S. -FLAG PASSENGER SHIP LAWS SIU OPPOSES FEES ATTACHED TO TANKERMAN ENDORSEMENTS SEAFARERS AID V.I. HURRICANE VICTIMS BARER CALLS JONES ACT ATTACKS ‘DANGEROUS AND FLAWED’ SEAFARER SURVICES HURRICAN ABOARD 42-FOOT SAILBOAT SUGAR WORKERS END MONTH-LONG STRIKE COMPANY REMOES GIVEBACK DEMANDS NEW SIU OFFICE OPENS IN PORT EVERGLADES, FLA. SAFETY DRILLS: STANDARD FARE ABOARD SIU-CREWED RANGER HIGMAN SIU MEMBERS RATIFY THREE-YEAR PACT ACTION BY ALTON BELLE SEAFARERS SAVES RIVERBOAT RARE PEARL HARBOR CALL MARKS SS INDEPENDENCE V-J DAY TRIP SAM HOUSTON CREW FETED FOR TWO YEARS OF SAFETY ABOARD THE LONG LINES, SEAFARERS MAKE HISTORY FOR LONGEST CABLE LAY AFL-CIO MARITIME TRADES DEPARTMENT CONVENTION DELEGATES HEAR OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE THEIR SUPPORT FOR U.S. SHIP BILL AFL-CIO MARITIME TRADES DEPARTMENT CONVENTION UNIONISTS FIGHT FOR JOB SECURITY SACCO, ZENGA, PECQUEX ELECTED TO MTD POSTS BY AIR AND BY SEA CHIEF STEWARD HARRIS RELISHES DUAL CAREERS Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seafarers Log Scanned Issues 1984-1988, 1994-Present Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 11/01/1995 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. 57, No. 11 1995 Periodicals Seafarers Log