Seafarers Log: Vol. 74 No. 4 (2012-04-01)

April 2012 Volume 74, Number 4

Union Plus Services
Page 8

Federation Endorses Obama
Page 5

Green Wave Helps Complete ‘Deep Freeze’
Page 4

MTD, Guests Underscore Need
For Robust U.S. Maritime Industry

The executive board of the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO on March 8-9 conducted
its annual winter meeting, and as usual, the gathering featured prominent guest speakers
from the military, government, labor and business. Both the board and the guests covered
many important topics, including the critical need for a strong U.S. Merchant Marine; the on-
going fight against piracy; America’s jobs crisis; the importance of this year’s elections, and
more. In photo at left, SIU President
Michael Sacco, who also serves as
MTD president, stands with Rear Adm.
Mark Buzby, commander, U.S. Mili-
tary Sealift Command. Pictured from
left to right in photo at right are MEBA
Secretary-Treasurer Bill Van Loo, SIU
Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel,
and International Transport Workers’
Federation official Jon Whitlow. Left to
right in the group photo above are SIU
VP Gulf Coast Dean Corgey, SIU Exec.
VP Augie Tellez, AFL-CIO President
Richard Trumka and SIU VP Contracts
George Tricker. The meeting took place
near Orlando, Fla. Coverage starts on
page 3 and continues on pages 9-14.

Jobs Crisis, Piracy Among Key Topics at Annual Meeting

SIU Welcomes Maersk Texas

SIU members in mid-March reported to the newly reflagged Maersk Texas in Mobile,
Ala. An outright addition to the union-contracted fleet, the heavy-lift ship was scheduled
to make its first voyage under the Stars and Stripes late last month. Pictured aboard the
ship are SIU crew members (from left) Electrician Gary Dahl, QMED Courtney Price, GVA
Willie Clemmons, OS Melvin Hill, Steward/Baker Michael McDermott, Bosun Kennard
Campbell and OS Dennis Marshall. Page 3.

10950_LOG_X.indd 1 3/26/2012 6:54:14 PM



2 Seafarers LOG April 2012

In a letter to the Departments of Homeland Se-
curity (DHS), Energy (DOE) and Transportation
(DOT), the American Maritime Partnership (AMP),
a broad-based coalition representing U.S.-flag ves-
sel operators, maritime unions (including the SIU)
and allied interests, in late February offered its re-
sources to help implement new Congressional re-
quirements that should increase the use of U.S.-flag
vessels in future Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)
drawdowns.

Several circumstances could lead to another SPR
drawdown soon, according to the coalition, includ-
ing an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and
rising U.S. gas prices. There are dozens of American
vessels with millions of barrels of capacity available
to transport oil, according to AMP.

“AMP was troubled by the decisions during the
last SPR drawdown to issue waivers for foreign-
flag vessels, employing foreign workers to transport
oil from the SPR despite the fact U.S.-flag ves-
sels were available to assist,” the AMP letter said.
“AMP recognizes
that there may
be circumstances
where waivers of
the Jones Act are
necessary, but we
want to work with
the Departments
to maximize the
use of available
American vessels,
employing Ameri-
can workers, in
the transportation
of SPR oil should
another drawdown
occur.”

The coalition
consists of more
than 400 Ameri-
can companies,
associations, labor
o r g a n i z a t i o n s ,
shipyards, defense
groups and others.

The Jones Act
is a longstanding
U.S. maritime law
that mandates the use of vessels that are crewed,
built, owned and flagged American to move cargo
between two U.S. ports. The law is critical for
American economic, national, and homeland secu-
rity, which is why it has enjoyed the support of the
U.S. Navy, many members of Congress of both par-
ties, and every president in modern history includ-
ing President Obama, the coalition pointed out.

Release of oil from the SPR in 2011 resulted in
nearly 50 waivers of the Jones Act, allowing the
transportation of the oil on foreign vessels when
U.S.-flag vessels were available to assist. New Con-
gressional law now requires the DHS and DOT to

comply with certain requirements to maximize the
use of U.S.-flag vessels for the transportation of oil
from future SPR drawdowns before Jones Act waiv-
ers are approved.

Specifically, the new law states that no waivers
may be granted until the DHS “takes adequate mea-
sures to ensure the use of United States-flag vessels”
and no waivers may be granted unless the DOT has
determined whether U.S.-flag vessels are capable of
assisting an SPR move. The DOT is now required
to provide the DHS with written justification for not
using U.S.-flag vessels during an SPR drawdown.

To ensure that the federal government has ad-
equate measures in place to utilize U.S.-flag vessels,
the departments are statutorily required to consult
with representatives of the U.S.-flag maritime in-
dustry. AMP believes that such consultations with
industry should begin immediately, the letter stated.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Trades Department
(MTD), AFL-CIO recently published a story com-
paring new attacks on the Jones Act with the er-

roneous ones that
surfaced after the
Deepwater Horizon
disaster.

“Now, just as
then, [Jones Act
opponents] are
disseminating in-
formation that ,
at best, is highly
skewered,” the de-
partment reported.
“The MTD and its
allies in the labor
movement and
shipping industry
have been working
overtime to edu-
cate the American
public and the new
members of Con-
gress about the is-
sues involved. The
important thing to
remember is that
there are proce-
dures in place to
grant waivers if

they are needed. There is, almost everyone in the
industry believes, no reason to do so when U.S.-flag
vessels are available.”

In a mid-March New York Times article about gas
prices, some industry experts said that waiving the
nation’s freight cabotage law likely would have, at
most, a nominal effect on prices at the pump.

The paper quoted MTD Executive Secretary-
Treasurer Daniel Duncan as saying, “In a time of
high unemployment in the United States, ignoring
the Jones Act, which has been central to American
national security and protects American jobs, makes
no sense.”

The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the Seafarers
International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFL-
CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Pe-
riodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way,
Camp Springs, MD 20746.

Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing
Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant Editor, Paddy Le-
hane; Photographer, Harry Gieske; Administrative Support, Misty Dobry.
Copyright © 2012 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD. All Rights Reserved.

Volume 74, Number 4 April 2012

The SIU online: www.seafarers.org

Tackling the Jobs Crisis

The Seafarers International Union
engaged an environmentally friendly
printer for the production of this
newspaper.

Both during the most recent Maritime Trades Department executive
board meeting and then the AFL-CIO executive council meeting that fol-
lowed, much of the discussions centered on jobs and the economy. Our
nation’s financial state and still-too-high unemployment promise to be the
most important issues in this year’s national elections, which means we
will all hear different plans and ideas for digging out from the recession.

The AFL-CIO laid out some realistic, promising strategies during last
month’s meeting. But let me back up for a second, for
those of you who are new to our union. The AFL-CIO
is a federation of 57 unions, including the SIU, repre-
senting more than 12 million working men and women.
I have served on the federation’s executive council for
many years; our affiliation helps give the SIU strength
beyond our numbers.

Those affiliated unions are autonomous, and I can
tell you without giving away any secrets that it’s not
always easy to get dozens of union leaders to agree on
something. Heck, once in a while it feels like it’s hard
to get us to agree on anything. Some of you may have

been aboard ships like that. But our ultimate solidarity is very real and very
much intact, and when it comes to a blueprint for creating and keeping
good jobs at home, we are clearly united.

One of the first points we tackled at the AFL-CIO meeting was the need
to stop rewarding companies that send jobs overseas. And that starts by
changing the focus of our national economic policy from one of maximiz-
ing the competitiveness and profitability of corporations that only main-
tain headquarters somewhere on U.S. territory to one of maximizing the
competitiveness and prosperity of the human beings who live and work in
America.

Note that we didn’t say companies don’t have the right to turn a profit.
We’re not fools – we know that America’s working families can’t succeed
unless their employers are doing well. But we are saying that U.S. busi-
nesses still can make money by keeping their production here. I’ve said
it for years: The national economy is every bit as real and arguably more
important than the global economy. We don’t have any interest in protec-
tionism, and Seafarers in particular undoubtedly appreciate the importance
of having imports and exports to ship. But it’s like the instructions you re-
ceive on an airplane, when they’re explaining how to use the oxygen masks
– you’d better get yourself squared away first, or you won’t be able to help
anyone else.

Something else the council agreed upon is that, to encourage domestic
investment and lay a stronger and more stable foundation for long-term
growth, it is essential that we tackle the problems of wage stagnation and
economic inequality. This will mean changing our labor laws so that all
workers who want to form a union and bargain collectively have a fair op-
portunity to do so. What it also means is making full employment the top
goal of our economic policy. We can do that by, in part, shrinking the trade
deficit and eliminating incentives for offshoring.

Once again, we’re not talking about doing economic harm to other
countries. We instead want to make it easier for them to rely on domestic
incomes as sources of growth. A key to that step is establishing suitable
minimum standards for the global economy, stopping the race to the bot-
tom, and in the process, creating new markets for American manufacturing.

The executive council summed it up like this: “We can no longer rely
on household debt, real estate bubbles, tech bubbles, stock bubbles or any
other kind of bubbles to fuel our economic growth. We cannot go back to
a low-wage, high-consumption economy. We need bold leadership to draw
the right lessons from the mistakes of the past 30 years and forge a new
model of economic growth in which we make things in America again,
workers can form a union and bargain collectively if they want to, working
people can afford to buy the things they make, the U.S. economy produces
as much as it consumes, everybody who wants to work can find a good job
and prosperity is broadly shared.”

Lofty ambitions? No. This is how our families, our union and our nation
were built. We cannot allow the American Dream to fall further and further
out of reach.

Michael Sacco

President’s Report Coalition: U.S.-Flag Tonnage
Ready to Transport SPR Oil
AMP Urges Adherence to New Rules Governing Jones Act Waivers

The USNS Cesar Chavez (shown in late December) is scheduled to be christened and launched into
San Diego Bay during an evening ceremony May 5 at the NASSCO shipyard. The 689-foot vessel,
named in memory of labor leader Cesar Chavez, is the fourteenth and final vessel in the U.S. Navy’s
T-AKE class. Members of the SIU’s Government Services Division sail in the unlicensed slots aboard
those vessels, which deliver food, ammunition, fuel and other provisions to American combat ships at
sea.

Final T-AKE Set for Christening

Jones Act vessels like the SIU-contracted Overseas Tampa, pic-
tured last year in Philadelphia, have proven vital to U.S. national
and economic security. (Photo by John Curdy)

10950_LOG.indd 2 3/23/2012 10:22:08 AM



April 2012 Seafarers LOG 3

MTD Speakers Focus on Need for Jobs
The need for good jobs in the United

States – and the maritime industry’s great
potential to be part of the solution – were
prime topics during the annual winter
meeting of the Maritime Trades Depart-
ment, AFL-CIO executive board March
8-9 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

As usual, the meeting featured an array
of high-level speakers from the military,
government, business and labor. They
talked about the ongoing need for a strong
U.S. Merchant Marine; projects that may
be sources of union jobs; the importance
of this year’s elections; global efforts to
combat piracy, and much more.

SIU President Michael Sacco, who
also serves as MTD president, chaired the
meeting. The MTD consists of 23 affiliated
unions representing approximately 5 mil-
lion members. The MTD also includes 21
port maritime councils.

In his opening remarks, Sacco said that
family-wage jobs “are on everybody’s
mind all across the country, not just in the
labor movement. Jobs and the economy are
really one subject, and that’s going to be
front and center not only for the presiden-
tial election but for other federal and state
campaigns.”

He said that in order to recover some
of the jobs the nation has lost as well as
protecting the good American jobs that
are still here, President Obama “is on the
right track when he talks about rewarding

companies who keep their production here
at home, and not rewarding the ones who
move it overseas. That’s a pretty simple
concept, but it won’t be possible to exe-
cute unless we have pro-worker majorities
in Congress and a pro-worker administra-
tion.”

Sacco then emphasized the need for

membership education, supporting pro-
worker candidates, getting out the vote,
and then “following up with the winners
and making them live up to their prom-
ises.”

He discussed federal and state-level at-
tacks on collective bargaining rights, and
pointed to recent wins by working families

in Ohio and Wisconsin as proof that the
labor movement still knows how to fight.

He added, “I think it’s ironic that as
we’re fighting to protect workers’ rights,
a lot of the media coverage has pointed
to unions as a key to economic revitaliza-
tion. Don’t get me wrong – our state-level
battles aren’t exactly the preferred method
for spreading the word about the union ad-
vantage.

“But one of the silver linings has been
coverage that points out the facts that
union members are more productive, earn
more money and have better benefits than
unrepresented workers. Other reporting –
and this is coming from economists and
journalists, not from labor organizations
– has flat-out stated that one reason the
economy is in the tank is because fewer
people belong to unions now than they did
any number of years ago. We can use that
as a recruiting tool. We have a lot to offer.”

In order of appearance, the follow-
ing guest speakers addressed the board
on March 8: Capt. Andrew McGovern,
president, United New Jersey Sandy Hook
Pilots Association; Barry Holiday, ex-
ecutive director, Dredging Contractors of
America; Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, com-
mander, U.S. Military Sealift Command;
Rear Adm. Wendi Carpenter, president,
State University of New York Maritime
College; Rear Adm. Michael Devany, di-
rector of the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration’s Marine and
Aviation Operations Centers; Joseph An-
gelo, managing director, Intertanko; and
Paul Anderson, CEO, Jacksonville Port
Authority.

Speaking to the board the next day were
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka; Mi-
chael Stotz, president, AFL-CIO Invest-
ment Trust Corporation; U.S. Secretary of
Labor Hilda Solis (via a video specifically
prepared for the MTD); Robert Mitch-
ell, CEO, Atlantic Wind Connection; Jon
Whitlow, secretary, International Trans-
port Workers’ Federation Seafarers’ Sec-
tion; U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.);
and U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.).

Throughout both days, the board ap-
proved policy statements that define many
of the MTD’s goals and strategies and
voice unwavering support for our troops
and first responders. Full copies of those
statements are posted on maritimetrades.
org.

See pages 9-14 for more coverage of
the MTD meeting

Military, Government, Business Leaders Also Cite Ongoing Need for Strong U.S.-Flag Fleet

MTD President Michael Sacco (right) opens the meeting. MTD VP Scott Winter is at left.
In the photo below, SIU Executive VP Augie Tellez (second from left) and others applaud
remarks by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.

Maersk Texas Newest Addition to SIU Fleet
The union last month welcomed new shipboard

jobs with the reflagging of the Maersk-Rickmers
heavy-lift vessel Maersk Texas.

Like its sister ship Maersk Illinois, which re-
flagged U.S. at the end of last year, the Maersk

Texas i s 485
feet long and
can carry 20,000
cubic meters of
cargo. Built in
2011, the 19,600
DWT ship fea-
tures two cargo
cranes with a
combined maxi-
mum lift of 480
metric tons. It
has a service
speed o f 16
knots.

The Maersk
T e x a s w a s

scheduled to sail from Mobile, Ala., late last month
with a load of cargo destined for India.

The first SIU crew aboard the Maersk Texas in-
cluded Bosun Kennard Campbell, ABs Michael
Congress, Robert Boudreaux and Billy Hill ,
OSs Melvin Hill and Dennis Marshall , Electri-
cian Gary Dahl , QMEDs Courtney Price and
Tyesha Boyd , GUDE
R o d e r i c k T h o m a s ,
GVA Wil l ie Clem-
mons , Steward/Baker
Michael McDermott
and ACU Paula Hop-
son.

Maersk-Rickmers is
a joint venture between
Maersk Line, Limited
and Rickmers -Lin ie
(America) to provide
American-flag service
for breakbulk cargo
around the world.

Bosun Kennard Campbell, Capt. Nickolaus Keydel, Port
Agent Jimmy White.

AB Billy Hill, GUDE Roderick Thomas, QMED Tyesha
Boyd, ACU Paula HopsonAB Michael Congress

10950_LOG.indd 3 3/23/2012 10:22:12 AM



4 Seafarers LOG April 2012

SIU-contracted Horizon Lines in early
March issued a report presenting the com-
pany’s progress in pursuing environmen-
tal excellence through its ongoing “Green
Initiatives.” The report describes the car-
rier’s efforts to mitigate environmental
impact from shipping operations and in-
termodal transport.

“Ensuring sustained environmen-
tal protection has always been a mis-
sion at Horizon Lines,” said Stephen
H. Fraser, the company’s president
and chief executive officer. “Our ap-
proach emphasizes environmental excel-
lence through conservation techniques,
waste stream management, system up-
grades and voluntary compliance.”
The report, available at www.horizonlines.
com, outlines a number of initiatives the
company has been pursuing. In a news re-
lease announcing the report’s availability,
Horizon said that in the marine environ-

ment area, “these initiatives include ves-
sel management controls, low sulfur diesel
fuel usage, and marine terminal pollution
mitigation planning. The company has
focused on reducing transportation emis-
sions through improvements in vessel fuel
consumption and truck efficiency, the use
of alternative fuels and the development
of more fuel-efficient transportation solu-
tions. Additionally, the company is pursu-
ing a long-term, sustainable approach to
logistics management that should ben-
efit all stakeholders. Examples include
working to reduce empty backhaul miles
through logistics network optimization
and researching the feasibility of using
containers built from recycled materials.”

Andrew Phillips, Horizon’s newly
appointed environmental compliance di-
rector, added, “Environmental steward-
ship is a fundamental tenet at Horizon
Lines. In 2011, our company received

recognition from the Chamber of Ship-
ping of America for environmental excel-
lence and we also were named a Top 75
Green supply chain partner by Inbound
Logistics magazine. We remain ever
vigilant and committed to continuous
improvement when it comes to environ-
mental stewardship and compliance.”
Under Horizon Lines’ Green Initiative,
specific areas of focus include training;
recycling and waste reduction; fuel con-
servation; cargo hold water pumping; a
ballast water management program; and a
joint venture with the U.S. Department of
Energy.

Additionally, according to Horizon,
“Improved technology oily water separa-
tors (OWS) were installed several years
ago on a number of the company’s vessels
as a pre-treatment system to the ship’s ex-
isting OWS. This upgrade is not required
by any country, international organization

or regulatory body. The dual processing
approach allows for improved manage-
ment of oily water discharge through more
efficient processing of problematic waste
streams such as oil-water emulsions, re-
sulting in an effluent oil content of sig-
nificantly less than the allowable 15 ppm.
The dual approach incorporates a pre-
treatment step before the contents of the
bilge holding tank are processed through
the existing OWS system and pumped
overboard. Horizon Lines installed the im-
proved technology OWS to further reduce
the possibility of inadvertent discharge of
oil into the sea.”

The cooperative effort with the En-
ergy Department (dubbed MAGIC) aims
“to investigate clouds and their properties
by deploying radars and other instrumen-
tation aboard the Horizon Spirit sailing
between Los Angeles and Honolulu from
October 2012 through September 2013.”

Horizon Lines Releases Green Initiative Report

The SIU-crewed containership MV Green Wave
departed McMurdo Station, Antarctica, Feb. 25,
after delivering more than 6.8 million pounds of
vital supplies in support of Operation Deep Freeze
(ODF). ODF is the annual U.S. military mission to
resupply the remote scientific outpost.

Earlier, the SIU-crewed tanker Maersk Peary
delivered more than 6.3 million gallons of crucial
diesel, gasoline and jet fuel to McMurdo Station Jan.
28-31.

Waterman Steamship operates the Green Wave,
while Maersk Line, Limited operates the Peary.

The U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC)
pointed out that during the yearly ODF mission, the
agency’s civilian-crewed ships “deliver 100 percent
of the fuel and about 80 percent of the supplies that
researchers and support personnel who live and work
across Antarctica need to survive and work over the
course of a year.”

“MSC’s Operation Deep Freeze support is truly
a ‘no failure accepted’ mission,” said Tim McCully,
MSC Pacific deputy commander. “Without the fuel,
food, and other support materials delivered by our
chartered ships, researchers could not continue their
operations through the brutal Antarctic winter.”

SIU-crewed ships operated for MSC have made
the challenging voyage to Antarctica for decades.
The station was established in 1955.

During the most recent ODF, although the Maersk
Peary and Green Wave have hulls designed to with-
stand the pressure of ice, both ships were escorted

through a 15-mile ice channel – in places more than
13 feet thick – by an icebreaker that carved a safe
path to the station.

The Green Wave arrived at McMurdo Station
Feb. 13 with cargo loaded on board in Port Huen-
eme, Calif., in early January, including food and re-
search equipment.

Typically, the ODF cargo ship off-loads at a 500-
foot ice pier that juts out from the Antarctic coast.
This year’s mission was one of the more challenging
in the last two decades, according to the agency, due
to unfavorable weather conditions that made the ice
pier at McMurdo unusable for dry cargo operations.

In lieu of the ice pier, the Green Wave carried
a disassembled modular causeway system from the
U.S. Army. Once the ship safely was anchored at
McMurdo Station, 41 Army personnel spent three
days assembling the interlocking pieces of the cause-
way and powered modular warping tugs, which were
craned off the ship individually and built into a float-
ing dock capable of handling the vessel’s load.

After the causeway was ready, approximately 60
Navy personnel worked around-the-clock for eight
days to off-load the Green Wave’s cargo, then load
the ship with 391 pieces of cargo for transportation
off the continent, including ice core samples carried
back to the United States in sub-zero freezer con-
tainers. The ship also took on trash and recyclable
materials for disposal. Cargo operations ended Feb.
24, and the Green Wave was slated to arrive back at
Port Hueneme late last month.

SIU-Crewed Green Wave Delivers Supplies to
McMurdo, Completes ‘Deep Freeze’ Mission

Two SIU-crewed ships – the Green Wave (above, at McMurdo Station
in February) and the Maersk Peary – transported vital cargo during this
year’s Operation Deep Freeze. (U.S. Navy photo by Larry Larsson)

New Contract Secured with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock
Seafarers employed at the

Great Lakes Dredge and Dock
Company have overwhelmingly
approved a new contract that
features some significant gains,
as well as maintaining impor-
tant benefits. The three-year pact
is being hailed as a win-win for
both the members and the com-
pany.

The agreement calls for wage
increases in each of the three
years of the contract and the
maintenance of benefits at Core-
Plus levels, the highest level pos-
sible. The negotiating committee
also secured continued company
contributions on members’ behalf
to the Seafarers Money Purchase
Pension Plan. The contract cov-
ers both licensed and unlicensed
members.

“We were able to make some
real progress in the negotiations
and I think the results reflect the
hard work put in by both sides,”
said SIU Vice President Con-
tracts George Tricker. “The fact
that we secured annual wage in-
creases while maintaining ben-

efits is a solid achievement.”
In addition to the maintenance

of benefits and pay increases, the
contract calls for a new classifica-
tion to be added to the unlicensed
agreement. That classification is
known, as of March 1, as “Elec-
tronic Technician.” The negotiat-
ing committee also obtained extra
compensation for AB dragtenders
and steward assistants.

The negotiations were led
by Tricker, Norfolk Port Agent
Georg Kenny, and Brooklyn Pa-
trolman Terence Maxwell. Rep-
resenting the licensed crew were
Robert Kiefer and Elmer Pres-
tidge and representing the unli-
censed crew were Duane Evans
and Charles Troutwine.

Great Lakes Dredge and Dock
Company, LLC is the largest pro-
vider of dredging services in the
country. Founded in 1890, the
company is one of the only U.S.
dredge businesses to have a sig-
nificant international presence. It
operates 10 hopper dredges that
are crewed by around 100 SIU
members.

Bargaining committee members are pictured at the SIU-affiliated school in Piney Point, Md. Company reps in-
cluded (front, from left) George Strawn, Bill Pagendarm and (standing, far left) Jack Graham. The union’s team
included (front, starting third from left) VP George Tricker, Port Agent Georg Kenny, (standing, starting second
from left) members Duane Evans, Jake Troutwine, Robert Kiefer and Elmer Prestidge and Patrolman Terence
Maxwell.

10950_LOG_X.indd 4 3/26/2012 6:54:16 PM



April 2012 Seafarers LOG 5

Federation Endorses President Obama
The AFL-CIO Executive Council, on

which SIU President Michael Sacco sits,
has announced its backing of President
Obama and Vice President Joe Biden for
a second term.

Citing President Obama’s commitment
to working families, executive coun-
cil members on March 13 during their
semiannual meeting in Orlando, Fla.,
unanimously voted to endorse the presi-
dent for his run at a second term in of-
fice. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
said Obama has placed his faith in Amer-
ica’s working men and women to lead
our country to economic recovery while
Republican presidential candidates have
pledged their loyalty to Wall Street and
the 1 percent.

Trumka, announcing the federation’s
support for the 2012 Obama/Biden re-
election ticket, issued the following
statement which is being published in its
entirety:

“As president, Barack Obama has
placed his faith in America’s working men
and women to lead our country to eco-
nomic recovery and to our full potential
as a nation. With our endorsement today,
we affirm our faith in him—and pledge to
work with him through the election and

his second term to restore fairness, secu-
rity and shared prosperity.

“The coming election is about val-
ues. President Obama honors the values
of hard work, of mutual respect, and of
solving problems together—not every
person for himself or herself. He believes
that together we will get through the most
challenging economic crisis in memory
and restore opportunity for all. Each of
the Republican presidential candidates,
on the other hand, has pledged to uphold
the special privileges of Wall Street and
the 1percent – privileges that have pro-
duced historic economic inequality and
drowned out the voices of working people
in America.

“President Obama took America from
the brink of a second Great Depression
by pressing Congress to pass the Ameri-
can Recovery and Reinvestment Act,
which saved or created 3.6 million jobs.
He championed comprehensive health
insurance reform, which – while far from
perfect – set the nation on a path toward
health security that had eluded our coun-
try for nearly 100 years. He insisted upon
Wall Street reform—passed over the ob-
jection of almost every Republican—that
is now beginning to reverse decades of

financial deregulation that put our entire
economy at risk.

“Although the labor movement has
sometimes differed with the president and
often pushed his administration to do more
and do it faster, we have never doubted
his commitment to working families. He
has worked hard to create good jobs; he
has made the revival of the manufacturing
sector a hallmark of his jobs agenda; he
has moved aggressively to protect work-
ers’ rights, pay and health and safety on
the job; he has worked for a fair resolu-
tion of the housing crisis and he put his
confidence and administration unequivo-
cally behind the workers and companies in
the American auto industry—a move that
saved hundreds of thousands of jobs and
is helping to revive the economy now and
for the future.

“President Obama has earned the sup-
port of working people for a second term
and today the AFL-CIO voted proudly and
enthusiastically to endorse him for a sec-
ond term.

“The labor movement is the original
social network—a working class social
network—and this year the unions of
the AFL-CIO will be mobilizing work-
ing people to come together to organize

our neighborhoods door to door, powered
by cutting-edge technology and old-fash-
ioned energy. “We will be running an in-
dependent program rooted not in parties or
candidates but in helping working people
build power, making informed decisions
about which candidates at every level to
work for based on records and issues.”

The AFL-CIO is the umbrella federa-
tion for U.S. unions. It is comprised of 57
unions representing more than 12 million
working men and women. The federation
functions to ensure that all people who
work receive the rewards of their work—
decent paychecks and benefits, safe jobs,
respect and fair treatment. The alliance
operates to make the voices of working
people heard in the White House, on Capi-
tol Hill, in state capitals across the country
and in corporate boardrooms. The federa-
tion provides an independent voice for
working families and ways for working
people to be actively engaged in politics
and legislation. It holds corporations ac-
countable for their treatment of employees
and ensures the voice of working people is
heard in the financial system. The coali-
tion also works with federations of unions
in other countries to achieve global social
and economic fairness.

The SIU was called upon to testify at a Congressional
hearing on cruise ship safety Feb. 29. The hearing, dubbed
“A Review of Cruise Ship Safety and Lessons Learned
from the Costa Concordia Accident,” was called in re-
sponse to the deadly accident involving the Costa Concor-
dia passenger vessel off the coast of Italy earlier this year.

Due to the severity of the accident, and the widespread
media attention that accompanied it, Chairman John Mica
(R-Fla.) of the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee and Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.) of
the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Sub-
committee both called for the hearing to address safety
concerns within the industry.

SIU Legislative Director Brian Schoeneman testified
that one of the top priorities for the union and its members
has been safety training. In fact, according to Schoene-
man’s testimony, the SIU leadership has long been
preaching that having a well-trained and qualified crew is
one of the most important steps a ship operator can take
in an effort to ensure safe travels.

“This is why the SIU places so much emphasis on
training,” said Schoeneman. “Since our founding in 1938,
we have had been providing mariner training as a key part
of the benefit of being a union member.”

Schoeneman also pointed out that with access to union-
affiliated training facilities such as the Paul Hall Center in
Piney Point, Md., and at Barbers Point, Hawaii, Seafar-
ers are some of the best equipped to deal with unforeseen
emergencies when at sea.

“The SIU has established a state-of-the-art training
program to ensure that both our mariners and our other

cruise ship personnel receive the best, most up-to-date
and in-depth training available anywhere,” said Schoen-
eman. “We’ve invested a considerable amount of time
and money into training, so when our members go up the
gangway they know what to do if the unthinkable hap-
pens.”

Another significant issue that was raised by the SIU is
flag-of-convenience vessels and the unfortunate amount
of market share they have in the cruise industry. While
the Costa Concordia was not an FOC ship, a majority of
those in the Caribbean and Hawaiian cruise industries are.
SIU officials are quick to point out that crews on FOC
vessels often don’t have the stringent safety training that
American, union mariners have.

Others testifying included Coast Guard Vice Admiral
Brian Salerno, the president of a cruise-line trade asso-
ciation, a mariner whose work has included serving as
captain of the SIU-crewed Pride of America, two of the
passengers from the Costa Concordia, and an executive
from Princess Cruises.

The consensus of those testifying before the subcom-
mittee is that safety in the cruise ship sector must be a top
priority.

“Experience has long since proven that training and
practice saves lives, especially in situations where every
second counts,” Schoeneman concluded. “It is important
to remember that the best way to protect passengers and
respond to an emergency is to ensure that crew members
are well-trained and professional and that passengers and
crew alike know what to do in an emergency. Training
saves lives. It is that simple.”

SIU Asserts Vital Importance of Training
Union Testifies at House Hearing Spurred by Costa Concordia Disaster

Brian Schoeneman (right), the union’s legislative director, testifies at the recent House hearing on cruise ship safety.

SIU officials and representatives at the union-affiliated
Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md., are making a concerted
effort to help ensure that Seafarers are prepared for the ongo-
ing application of the Manila amendments to the STCW con-
vention.

The 2010 amendments to the convention (known popularly
as the Manila amendments) will be phased in during the next
five years, with the process having begun in January 2012. The
more immediate effects on the day-to-day lives of SIU mem-
bers include an increase in mandatory minimum rest hours in
any seven-day period, and documentation of security-related
training. The new standard for rest is 77 hours, while the old
one was 70 hours.

Because the final rule covering these issues hasn’t been
published, the Coast Guard isn’t yet enforcing the provisions.
However, the agency strongly urges compliance by U.S.-flag
ships, particularly when overseas.

A Coast Guard notice released earlier this year further
points out that the Manila amendments changed “the rest
hours requirements as follows: (1) Expanded the application
for hours of work and rest periods for mariners to include all
personnel with designated safety, prevention of pollution, and
security duties onboard any vessel; (2) changed the weekly rest
hours requirements from 70 hours to 77 hours; and (3) required
the recording of hours of rest…. Vessels operating in foreign
ports are encouraged to implement these requirements to avoid
any potential port state control detentions. Hours of rest for
each crew member can be documented in the vessel logbook.”

In part, the section of the notice covering security train-
ing requirements reads as follows: “The STCW Convention
requires that mariners who commenced service after 1 Janu-
ary 2012 meet the training requirements for vessel personnel
with designated security duties and security awareness, as ap-
propriate. In addition, the STCW Convention also provides
transitional provisions for mariners who started service prior
to 1 January 2012. Recognizing that the implementation date
is fast approaching, and that there may be practical difficulties
for all seafarers with security related requirements to obtain
necessary certifications and/or the necessary endorsements
required in accordance with regulation VI/6 of the 2010 Ma-
nila Amendments, the IMO issued Circular STCW.7/Circ.17.
The Circular provides advice for port state control officers on
transitional arrangements leading up to full implementation of
the 2010 Manila Amendments on 1 January 2017. The Cir-
cular also recommends that Administrations inform their port
state control authorities that, until 1 January 2014, it would be
sufficient to accept compliance with section 13 of the Inter-
national Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, even if
a seafarer’s documentation with regard to the security-related
training in regulation VI/6 is not in accordance with the 2010
Manila Amendments….”

In addition to added rest and security training, other note-
worthy changes include mandatory training in a variety of ca-
pacities including Tanker, Bridge and Engine-room Resource
Management, and Electronic Chart Display and Information
System (ECDIS). While these training standards are currently
optional, they will become mandatory in 2014. Failure to pre-
pare for the implementation of the Manila amendments can
result in the inability to get needed sea time.

STCW Amendments Include
New Minimum for Rest Hours

10950_LOG_X.indd 5 3/26/2012 6:54:17 PM



6 Seafarers LOG April 2012

Like Sons, Like Father Seafaring Life Proves
Great Fit for Ross Family

Seafaring careers often run in families,
but for Jim Ross and his sons, Zachary
and Grayson, the proverbial torch wasn’t
handed down.

Instead, Jim followed his sons’ path
from California through the SIU-affiliated
Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training
and Education and into the union. The
three of them sail in the engine depart-
ment, and all say they are quite pleased
with their careers.

Jim, who turns 55 this month, already
knew the benefits of union representa-
tion from prior work as a meat cutter long
before he arrived at the Paul Hall Center’s
Piney Point, Md., campus in January 2010.
He knew the pitfalls of non-union work,
too, and lost his managerial job when the
recession started.

“I was very interested in getting back
into a union,” Jim said. “Non-union is a
cut in pay and cut in lifestyle.”

He was working in landscaping in early
2009 – a time when Grayson and Zach
were studying as members of Paul Hall
Center Unlicensed Apprentice Class 719.

“They both told me I should get started
with the school and the SIU,” Jim recalled.

He went to Piney Point within a year
and quickly knew he’d made a good deci-
sion.

“Shipboard life agrees perfectly with
me,” he said. “I love it. You work 12 hours
a day on the ship, but what else are you
going to do out there? And when you’re
off, you’re home all the time or you can
travel. We travel more now than when I
worked on shore.”

He added, “It’s kind of interesting that
the kids got into it before the old man.

Usually it’s a family thing handed down,
but it has worked out great. I’m extremely
grateful both to the union and the school.”

‘A Lot of Fun’
For Zach, 29, the lousy economy led

him out of the construction business and
into the maritime industry. He and Gray-
son, both of whom recently upgraded to
junior engineer, met a former SIU member
and then a current official (Assistant Vice
President Chet Wheeler) who explained
the basics.

“It seemed like a great opportunity,”
Zach stated. “So far, I love the union. It
has really taken care of me and I love all
the perks. It’s been a lot of fun.”

He said that despite some initial sur-
prise at Jim’s entry into the unlicensed ap-
prentice program, “for him it makes sense.
He saw us enjoying it and he had been a
union member before. He lives to travel.
By no means did we talk him into it.”

Zach also said that even when they’re
on the beach, shop talk “is pretty much the
majority of our conversation. It’s nice to
have somebody in the family you can vent
to or ask questions.”

Finally, he recommended upgrading at
the Paul Hall Center and its Harry Lun-
deberg School of Seamanship. He said
that upgrading improves job security and
earning power. (Jim was taking the basic
auxiliary plant operations course at the
same time the brothers were in the junior
engineer class.)

‘Right Choice’
Grayson, 25, remembered doing as-

phalt work several years ago “and then the

economy died, pretty much.”
After checking out the union’s website,

he and his brother went to the SIU hall
in Oakland, Calif., “and the rest is his-
tory. We were sold; we started getting our
documents ready and headed out [to the
school] five or six months later.”

Grayson said that while his lineage
includes some affiliation with the sea –
family members have served in the Navy
– he and Zach and Jim are the first ones to
make a living in the merchant sector.

“I like it,” he said. “Working on a ship
is like helping make a small city run. It’s

nice being part of something that big, and
I enjoy building stuff. We’re all pretty me-
chanical. It seems like the right choice.”

Like Zach, Grayson said he was at least
slightly surprised at Jim’s entry into the
apprentice program – not because it wasn’t
a good potential fit, but rather because it
was such a big change.

“He was a butcher all my life, but I
think he was tired of it,” Grayson said. “It
wasn’t going anywhere and of course the
money is a lot better out here…. It’s pretty
cool. We’ve never lived anywhere near the
coast, but we’re all sailing now.”

From left, Jim, Grayson and Zachary Ross successfully switched from other fields to the
maritime industry.

Guard Unit Trains at Union-Affiliated School

The SIU’s affiliated training center in Hawaii recently provided classroom and hands-
on instruction for members of the Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG) Fire Unit.
The sessions took place Feb. 18-19. Two photos from the training are shown here.

SIU Vice President Contracts George
Tricker braved the bone-chilling Atlantic
Ocean off Seaside Heights, N.J., to raise
money for the New Jersey Special Olympics.
The annual event, dubbed The Polar Bear
Plunge for Special Olympics-New Jersey,
brought nearly 5,000 people to the shore for
a good cause. The plunge, which took place
Feb. 25, generated more than $1 million for
the Special Olympics, according to event
organizers. Participants are required to raise
at least $100 apiece for the organization in
order to participate in the plunge.

Tricker was joined by other officials and
rank-and-file members from various unions
for the plunge. In addition to members of the
organized labor community (among them,
police officers, fire fighters and teachers),
participants included people from all walks

of life and all parts of the country.
According to Tricker, it was an experi-

ence he won’t soon forget.
“This was the first year that I’ve been able

to do this and I’m really glad I got the oppor-
tunity,” he said. “I’m honored to have been
able to do my part and help out the Special
Olympics, which is a truly great event.”

According to the website for the Polar
Bear Plunge, the “Special Olympics New
Jersey provides year-round sports training
and Olympic-type competition in 24 sports
for more than 22,000 children and adults
with intellectual disabilities, all completely
free of charge.”

For any Seafarers interested in participat-
ing in next year’s event, registration can be
completed at http://www.sonj.org/LawEn-
forcement/NjPolarPlunge/.

Union VP ‘Takes the Dive’
For a Very Special Cause

VP Contracts George Tricker (front, left) is pictured with other Polar Plunge participants
and a Special Olympics athlete.

10950_LOG.indd 6 3/23/2012 10:22:19 AM



April 2012 Seafarers LOG 7

ABOARD ALLIANCE CHARLESTON – AB David Denizac
(left in photo above) and Joselito Beof are shown in early
March painting and installing a non-skid safety walkway on
the bridge deck of Maersk’s Alliance Charleston. Thanks to
Bosun Terry Cowans and Chief Mate Ryan Arnold for their
efforts to submit the photo to the LOG.

REWARDED FOR SAFETY – Electrician James Be-
atty (photo at right) recently won a cash award as part of
Maersk Line, Limited’s ongoing program promoting ship-
board and shore-side safety. According to a recap by the
chief mate aboard the Baldomero Lopez, Beatty discovered
that an incorrect-sized wire had been used on a lube oil
heater and the protective covering was starting to deterio-
rate, which could have caused an injury or accident. Beatty
“took it upon himself to open and inspect all of the other …
heads to ensure they were correctly wired. Job well done
on discovering the problem and having the initiative to take
it the next step and make sure there would not be any fu-
ture issues,” wrote Chief Mate David Schumacker.

BOOK PRESENTATION AT HQ – In early April, SIU VP Contracts
George Tricker (right) administered the union oath and presented
an A-seniority book to QMED James Oling (left) at the union’s head-
quarters building, located in Camp Springs, Md. When he’s not sail-
ing, Oling works as a substitute teacher.

PAYOFF IN NEW YORK – SIU Asst. VP Nick Celona (right) and Patrolman Mark von Siegel (left) paid off the
APL ship President Truman on March 13 in Staten Island, N.Y. Pictured with the officials are (from left, starting
second from left) Chief Steward Benjamin Sivells, Chief Cook Julio Lobo and ACU Jaime Cayonte.

SHIPBOARD MEETINGS OVERSEAS – SIU VP West Coast Nick
Marrone and Guam Port Agent John Hoskins earlier this year met
with Seafarers aboard several ships in Diego Garcia and Saipan. In
the photo above, Marrone (center) is pictured with AB Francis Miller
(left) and Bosun John Wells aboard the USNS Seay. In the photo
below, Hoskins (center) stands with SA Marcelo Rase (left) and
Storekeeper Eurico Liboon aboard the USNS Pomeroy. The Seay
is operated by AMSEA, while the Pomeroy is operated by Ocean
Shipholdings.

VISION IN CALIFORNIA – In late
February, Patrolman Nick Marrone
II (right in photo at left), with mem-
ber Lou Cabano) met with Seafar-
ers aboard the Crowley ATB Vision
in Martinez, Calif. They discussed
upcoming contract negotiations, the
importance of contributing to SPAD,
and other union and maritime indus-
try news. Among those on hand for
the gathering were Captain George
Sadler, 1st Mate Charlie Carlson,
2nd Mate David Gilles, 3rd Mate
Lou Cabano, Chief Engineer John
Ashley, Asst. Engineer Piotr Kwiat-
kowski, QMED Edward Schlueter,
AB/Tankerman Bruce Murphy, AB/
Tankerman Kenric Henry, AB/Utility
Caesar Smith and OS/Cook Bradley
Palmer.

At Sea and Ashore With the SIU

10950_LOG.indd 7 3/23/2012 10:22:25 AM



8 Seafarers LOG April 2012

10950_LOG.indd 8 3/23/2012 10:22:28 AM



April 2012 Seafarers LOG 9

2012 AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department Executive Board Meeting

Solidarity—the willingness and commit-
ment of union members to stand together
shoulder to shoulder and fight to achieve
a better life for working families—is the
foundation on which the labor movement
rests.

This point was exemplified repeatedly
by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
March 9 during his address to the Maritime
Trades Department, AFL-CIO executive
board’s annual meeting near Orlando, Fla.
The federation president was one of 12
distinguished speakers to address the body
during the two-day gathering.

“The time has come again for us all to
stand together, and to show America the
true meaning of solidarity,” Trumka said,
“because we will not win what we need
without strong coalitions—not only of our
union members, but also of working people
of allied organizations and industries.”

Having grown up in a small mining town
in southwestern Pennsylvania, Trumka told
those present that he learned early in life
about the importance of solidarity and the
necessity of its unbroken practice for work-
ing people.

“My entire family would come together
every Sunday at my grandmother’s house,”
he said. “The adults would be sitting and
talking about what was going on, and about
95 percent of them were mine workers, the
other five percent were teachers.

“They talked unions and I learned about
unions from the time that I can remember,”
he continued. “At those sessions, we learned
the meaning of solidarity. We learned how
to stand together for safety on the job. We
learned what it meant to stand together for a
fair share, for good benefits and for a digni-
fied retirement.”

Thanks to this background, said the fed-
eration president, no one had to tell him or
members of his family what to do when it
was time for them to stand together in the
struggle to make things better for work-
ing families. “No one had to teach us on
the line,” he said “When you saw a picket
line, you honored it first, you asked ques-
tions later…. What mattered is working
people were struggling and that picket line
was sacred. And every picket line out there
became your own picket line. That was
solidarity. What to do when you saw it was
ingrained in all of us.”

Along those same lines, Trumka told
members of his audience that each of them
had an important role to play, a critical
contribution to make toward ensuring the
survival of a strong trade union movement
and the continued presence of the American
flag on the waterways and high seas.

“Brothers and sisters, today we really
have to gather ourselves together again and
raise our voices for all aspects of the mari-
time trades—from ships and docks to rail-
ways and highways,” he said. “Right now,
our country is at a very, very critical junc-
ture and we stand at that critical juncture in
American life.”

The federation president pointed out that
as a nation, we have some vital choices to
make and questions to answer regarding
our future: “Will we continue to build ships
in America at places like Avondale? Will
we embrace the future of green energy by
supporting the construction of wind farms,
like those proposed off the Mid-Atlantic
coast? Will we build deep-water harbors to
accommodate the rise in traffic from expan-
sion of the Panama Canal Zone, and the
necessary rail and trucking infrastructure, so
that America’s marine-highway system can
handle the freight coming off those jumbo
ships?” he asked.

Trumka then advised board members
and others in the crowd to avoid the tempta-
tion of treating the foregoing questions as
isolated issues or assuming “that they are
someone else’s problem rather than mine.”
That’s precisely what anti-union factions
want us to do, he said.

“They want these to be isolated ques-
tions, but they are not because the answers
won’t affect just a handful of workers or a
small number of companies,” Trumka said.
“The answers will spell the future of Amer-
ica, just as the outcome of political fights
for collective bargaining rights for public
employees in Wisconsin and Ohio, and for
the right to form strong unions in Indiana.
All will impact the prosperity of America
for generations to come.”

Emphasizing the importance of unity,
Trumka noted that the labor movement
can’t win if individuals affected by a single
issue act alone. “We can’t act in isolation,
or we’ll surely be beaten one at a time,” he
said. “We need all of us working together.”
This approach is what made the differ-
ence in Wisconsin and Ohio, where public
employees and private employees worked
together and won key political fights, he
pointed out.

Turning his attention to the issue of
jobs, Trumka noted that the country needs
to invest in infrastructure. The East Coast
needs mega-ports, America needs clean
wind energy, and all across America—from
the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River
waterways, the Gulf Coast, the West Coast,
Puerto Rico, Alaska and Hawaii—we need
investments in infrastructure, he said.

“When the public invests in jobs … it
benefits everybody, every last American
out there,” Trumka said. “We’ll get mari-
ners, longshoremen, shipbuilders, painters,
machinists, ironworkers, boilermakers,
operating engineers, laborers, miners and
teamsters and a thousand other occupations
back on the job when we do that because
it’s pretty simple: America prospers when
America works.”

Recalling the 2010 elections, Trumka
talked about how right-wing politicians
duped the American public by reneging on
their campaign promises to create jobs.

“They got elected, and what happened
on day one? On day one, they forgot about
jobs,” he said.

Politicians like Wisconsin Governor
Scott Walker, Ohio Governor John Kasich

and hundreds of others like them in Wash-
ington and the state legislatures around the
country dropped jobs from their agenda
and attacked collective bargaining rights,
Trumka said. They also attacked democracy
with so-called voter ID laws and with other
new laws meant to restrict the ability of
working people to vote.

According to Trumka, the impetus for
the voter ID measures is a group known as
ALEC, the American Legislative Education
Council. They brought 2,000 legislators
together and established as their goal a 10
percent reduction in the progressive vote in
2012.

“So they came after our collective bar-
gaining rights, they came after immigrants,
they came after seniors, they came after stu-
dents, they came after people of color, they
came after public employees and they came
after private employees, trying to suppress
that vote,” Trumka said.

The resulting laws, if unchallenged, will
have devastating effects for certain catego-
ries of voters, said the federation president.
In the state of Wisconsin alone, it disenfran-
chises 52 percent of senior women because
they don’t have an ID and they can’t get out
to obtain one; it disenfranchises 78 percent
of African-American males between the
ages of 18 and 24 because they don’t have
a driver’s license; and it disenfranchises 56

percent of Hispanic women because they
don’t have a voter ID.

Trumka continued, “Remember what
else they did? They closed down the place
where you get the IDs on Saturday so that
you had to take a day off of work during
the week to go and get one. It wasn’t an ac-
cident, it was an assault on democracy, and
it’s an assault on us as well.”

Trumka expects more of the same during
the 2012 election cycle. “They spent almost
$2 billion in the last election cycle and
they’ll spend between $5 billion and $6 bil-
lion this time,” he said. “Money will be no
object; they will be coming right at us.”

The attacks on collective bargaining and
the right to vote have the same purpose,
Trumka noted. “The goal is one thing and
one thing only—and that’s to tilt the playing
field against us, to defeat us, to keep us in
our place, to stop the workers from getting

uppity and actually start to demand some-
thing, like health care and wage increases
and retirement security.”

Trumka said labor knows the antidote for
anti-worker politicians: solidarity.

“We stood together in Wisconsin and
Ohio, and we delivered stunning defeats
to those who targeted working people,” he
said. “We know more tests are coming, and
we’re getting ready for them.”

That’s why the AFL-CIO is launching
a political program that reaches all levels,
the federation president said. “Seven days
a week, 12 months a year, it’s not going to
break down after the elections, are over.”

Quite to the contrary, it’s going to con-
tinue to build and bring more people in,
Trumka said. “It’s going to last and we’re
building power for working people—not
power for politicians—an independent voice
that won’t vanish after Election Day.

“It will stay there and it will grow, and it
will organize and it will bring more people
in,” he said. “And our new program will be
able to transition from electoral politics to
advocacy and from advocacy to account-
ability. We’ll stay strong so we can win the
legislation we need to rebuild the America
that we can have and that we must have.”

Trumka told the MTD attendees that the
country needs leaders who will campaign
for jobs, and then after they get elected,

stand and fight and create those jobs, not
give us lip service. “We need leaders who
will run a campaign for those jobs and cre-
ate them,” he said. “And I’ve got to tell you
that the Maritime Trades, you are a pow-
erful voice for working people, a mighty
voice. But as mighty as you are, and as
mighty as our labor movement is, we cannot
take on this battle alone.”

The federation leader said that when we
stand together with those organizations, pro-
gressive groups and individuals who share
our values, the numbers are on our side.
No matter how much money they have, he
said, we can produce votes that nullify that
money. “When we remind America that
work connects us all, we can build a culture
of mutual support and solidarity. Quite
frankly, if all working people united, we
can’t be turned around.”

Commenting on the upcoming 2012
General Election, Trumka said that he was
sure that some of us are going to look back
to 2008 when labor helped elect President
Obama. “It seemed like our time had finally
come,” he said. “I remember that and I was
so excited. I said man we got the House, we
got the Senate … good times are going to
roll.”

But the “good times” have been few
and far between, Trumka suggested. Based
on a record numbers of filibusters in the
U.S. Senate and a flood of cash that’s been
let loose by the Citizens United decision,
Trumka said that the right-wing has put
up a much more viscous fight than anyone
anticipated.

Further, he said, President Obama has
had fewer people confirmed in his cabinet
than any president before him. “They won’t
even give him the people that he needs to
make the government run,” Trumka said.
“You know why? They don’t want govern-
ment to run. They don’t want him to be
able to create jobs; they don’t want him to
be able to solve problems. That doesn’t fit
their agenda.”

After noting that the right wing’s number
one goal is not fixing the economy, not cre-
ating jobs, not bringing retirement security
to Americans, not fixing education, and not
fixing our infrastructure, but instead to take
Barack Obama out of office, Trumka said
that he still expected more from the presi-
dent.

“Sometimes the right-wing blocked Pres-
ident Obama from making more progress,
and quite honestly sometimes Obama and
our friends in the Senate could have fought
a whole lot harder and negotiated a whole
lot better.”

AFL-CIO President Cites ‘Critical Juncture’ for U.S.
Trumka: Solidarity a Must for Working Families Throughout Nation

MTD President Michael Sacco (right), and MTD VP Scott Winter (left) joined AFL-CIO
President Richard Trumka for this photo shotrly after Trumka addressed the MTD Execu-
tive Board.

“Brothers and sisters, today we really have to gather ourselves
together again and raise our voices for all aspects of the maritime
trades—from ships and docks to railways and highways. Right now,
our country is at a very, very critical juncture and we stand at that
critical juncture in American life.” - - - AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

Continued on Page 14

10950_LOG_X.indd 9 3/26/2012 6:54:19 PM



10 Seafarers LOG April 2012

2012 AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department Executive Board Meeting

‘Best of America’s Labor Movement’
A cabinet member and two U.S. Repre-

sentatives were among speakers to address
those who attended the Maritime Trades
Department, AFL-CIO executive board
(MTD) meeting last month near Orlando,
Fla.

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, U.S.
Representative Cedric Richmond (D-La.)
and U.S. Representative Michael Grimm
(R-N.Y.) each delivered speeches to the
body March 9. Solis’ message came via a
DVD specifically prepared for the MTD
while Congressmen Richmond and Grimm
made personal appearances.

Solis thanked American merchant mari-
ners, shipbuilders, longshoremen and their
affiliated unions for their respective roles
in making the nation’s maritime industry
strong and vibrant. Noting the strong lead-
ership provided to the MTD by President
Michael Sacco and Vice President Scott
Winter, Solis said, “The members you rep-
resent are fortunate to have you at the helm.
Your advocacy is making an enormous dif-
ference for the middle class workers who
labor in our ports and build and supply our
flag vessels.”

The Labor Secretary then told attendees
that she was incredibly proud of the contri-
butions the merchant mariners have made
to our commerce, our national defense and
vital humanitarian missions around the
world. “Whether bringing supplies to Haiti
to alleviate suffering after the earthquake,
or delivering grains to foreign ports to al-
leviate famine, or serving as our fourth arm
of defense in times of emergency,” she said,
“you represent the best of America’s labor
movement.

Focusing on the economy, Solis said
that the MTD’s meeting was being held at
a critical time. She conceded that the reces-
sion had taken a tremendous toll on the
maritime industry, but expressed optimism
for a better future.

“We have now created nearly 3.7 mil-
lion jobs over the last 24 months,” she said.
“Our recovery is growing stronger and you
played a critical role in educating Congress
about the millions of jobs generated by
American ports.”

She then pledged the administration’s
continued support of the maritime industry,
noting that if this country is going to export
products rather than jobs, then we need to
make major infrastructure investments in
our ports. These investments will enable us
to keep pace with our rapid trade growth,
she said.

“President Obama understands this,”
Solis told the board members. “Even in
these difficult partisan times, we will con-
tinue to make the case on Capitol Hill and
to the American people that these invest-
ments are in our vital national interest. And
as we make that case, we will continue to
stand up against the attacks on the rights of
organized labor.”

In closing, the Labor Secretary noted
that our opponents are waging attacks on
working people at the worst possible time
in states all across the country. “They say
that given the state of the economy, we
can’t afford unions right now,” Solis said.
“I say they got it backwards…. That’s why
I continue to speak out against those who
want to use the financial crisis as an excuse
to take this country backwards by attack-
ing collective bargaining rights. That’s that
wrong way to go…. President Obama un-
derstands that labor unions are not the cause
of America’s problems, they are part of the
solution.”

Congressman Richmond
A strong advocate for the U.S. maritime

industry, Richmond talked about the im-
portance of solidarity and organizing in the
labor movement.

To set the tone for his presentation, he
told the board members about the role he
and others have been playing in the ongo-

ing battle to keep New Orleans’ Avondale
Shipyard open.

In the middle of the night, Richmond
said, company executives decided to shut
the facility down because they did not deem
it efficient. The congressman said that he
didn’t think it was fair for them to kick
11,000 New Orleans metro area residents
out of work. He later learned that the com-
pany stood to gain some $310 million by
closing the facility. This to him was insane:
a company being given $310 million for
quitting on the American people.

“I can see giving $310 million to a com-
pany if they are expanding, or if they are
opening,” he said. “But to give $310 mil-
lion to somebody who is going to quit on
the American people…. It just seemed like
foolishness.”

Armed with this information, Rich-
mond said he launched an all-out campaign
to save Avondale. His crusade, strongly
backed by organized labor, continues
today; and although he has not realized his
ultimate goal of saving Avondale, he said
he believes that he, his supporters, and the
Avondale workers eventually will prevail.

The congressman pointed out that while
he was captivated by the masses of Avon-
dale workers who turned out during their
rallies to save the shipyard, he was more
awestruck by the turnout of supporters – by
“all of the brothers and sisters from labor
from all over the country who came down
to support them. That really means a lot,”
he said. “You find out who your friends are
when you are in a time of need. And I can
tell you as a survivor of Katrina, you really
find out who your friends are when you’re
down.”

With that as a framework, Richmond
shared his views on the importance of the
maritime industry. “The future of the mari-
time industry in this country is important to
the future of this country,” he said.

Richmond said that Americans make up
only five percent of the consumers in this
world, so the remaining 95 percent of them
are outside of our country.

“This means that we need not only an in-
formation superhighway, but we also need
to make sure that we invest in our maritime
superhighway which is the trade superhigh-
way for this country,” he stated. “So, just as
we talk about laying fiber-optic cable, we
should be talking about dredging our rivers
and our ports. Just as you talk about invest-
ing in the infrastructure of the country to
make sure we can hardwire things, we have
to talk about the infrastructure in our mari-
time industry.”

The congressman then stated while he
was sure each member of the audience was
on the same page when it came to the mari-
time industry, that wasn’t enough. It’s more

important that everyone continue to stand
together and let their feelings be known
through a united voice, he noted. “Whether
we’re talking about the Jones Act, cargo
preference or the Maritime Security Pro-
gram, we should keep saying it again and
again,” he said. “I support them all.”

“Muhammad Ali used to always say I’m
the greatest, I’m the greatest, I’m the great-
est everywhere he went,” the congressman
continued. “One day, a reporter asked him
why do you keep saying that? His response
was if I say it long enough, people will start
to believe it.”

One of the problems developing in this
country is that we have allowed people to
say labor is a bad thing, Richmond pointed
out. “They said it over and over again to the
point that people are starting to believe it.
We can’t afford to let people say it over and
over again without them getting checked.
We have to say it’s all lies and garbage.”

On the issue of the 99 percent versus
the one percent, Congressman Richmond
emphasized that Americans are not in the
business of penalizing people for being suc-
cessful. “That’s not what we do,” he stated.
“But as my grandmother once told me, to
whom much is given, much is required.”
This means that during these tough eco-
nomic times, “rich people need to do a little
more,” he said. “We’re not saying that you
have to give more for the rest of your life,
but for the next couple of years while we’re
in this crunch, we’re going to need just a lit-
tle bit more. And for people who don’t have
that, we’re asking for their time. We need
you to mentor kids, to coach little league, to
give what you can give.”

Richmond told the board that his pas-
sion for labor was ingrained in him as a
child. Having picketed with his mother,
who served as a strike captain for a teachers
union in New Orleans, he said he learned a
great deal about organized labor deal from
her.

“My mother was from one of the poorest
places in the country, she had 15 brothers
and sisters,” he said. “But she was proud to
be in the union, she was proud to stand with
others to fight for what she believed in. And
my brother and I started to believe in it, too.
As we grew up and watched her fight when
things were not right … we formed that
same pride. And that’s the pride that it’s
going to take to get this country back on the
right track.”

Congressman Richmond closed by say-
ing he is a product of all of their hard work
and sacrifice. “It was the labor movement
that joined to make sure that I could go to
some of the best schools and do anything I
wanted to do” he said. “And it was certainly
your help that got me elected to the United
States Congress.”

Congressman Michael Grimm
Republican Congressman Grimm

told the board that despite the popular
perception that Congress is broken and
dysfunctional, a lot of across-the-aisle bi-
partisanship exists.

“A good example of that is taking place
here today because not only do I stand here
in support of and behind every one of you,
not only with the labor movement, not only
with the maritime industry, but also with
my colleague Congressman Richmond from
across the aisle,” Grimm said. “So when
you get past the sound bites and rhetoric
and nonsense, you’re going to find out just
how much alike we really are.”

A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps
who also served as an FBI Special Agent,
Grimm also hails from a labor background.
And, like his Democratic colleague, he de-
veloped a deep appreciation for labor and
its pioneering values early in life.

“No one knew this when I was running
for office, but I grew up in a union house-
hold,” the congressman shared. “My dad,
who could barely read and write, swung
a hammer and basically broke his back
all day working two or three jobs because
he promised himself that his two children
would have a chance to have an education
that he did not have. He was a proud mem-
ber of Local 8 Roofers and Water Proofers
Union. And he taught me from a very early
age that it was about a fair day’s work for a
fair day’s wage. This was ingrained in me
from day one and that made me grow up
with a very profound respect for the people
who work hard, the very people who built
this country.”

Congressman Grimm said he was fortu-
nate to have grown up New York because
of its historic connection with organized
labor. “When you look around New York,
you have to marvel at the architecture, the
roads and bridges, tunnels and infrastructure
that was built by the hard working hands
of labor,” he said. “It really makes me so
proud and I don’t hesitate to admit that I
bleed red, white and blue. You can’t find
anyone that’s more proud of this country
and that why I stand here today – because
we need to get back to get back to our ba-
sics.”

Addressing the issue of jobs, the con-
gressman said that virtually everyone—es-
pecially elected politicians—has an idea
about how to create jobs. “That’s all you
hear from them when you stick a micro-
phone in front of them,” Grimm said. “But
the answer is right here in front of our nose:
We need to get back to the basics.”

To clarify his point, Congressman

Labor Secretary, Congressmen Credit MTD Unions for Vital Roles

Continued on Page 14

The Honorable Michael Grimm
U.S. Representative

(R) New York

The Honorable Cedric Richmond
U.S. Representative

(D) Louisiana

The Honorable
Hilda Solis

U.S. Secretary of Labor

10950_LOG_X.indd 10 3/26/2012 6:54:22 PM



April 2012 Seafarers LOG 11

The commander of the U.S. Military Sealift Com-
mand (MSC) and the director of the National Oceano-
graphic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA)
Marine and Aviation Operations Centers recently
praised the work of U.S. Merchant Mariners and their
respective unions at the Maritime Trade Department,
AFL-CIO meeting on March 8 near Orlando, Fla.

MSC Commander Rear Adm. Mark Buzby and
NOAA Rear Adm. Michael Devany described the key
roles played by mariners when it comes to protecting
America’s national and economic security. They also
talked about the ongoing need for industry partner-
ships and the importance of creating and maintain-
ing good jobs – themes echoed at the MTD meeting
by Rear Adm. Wendi Carpenter (USN), president of
the Maritime College of the State University of New
York.

Buzby gave a brief history of MSC and its missions
throughout the years. He cited the “trust that has been
established” between the agency and maritime labor,
and said it was a privilege to address the MTD execu-
tive board.

“It is important to me to be here,” Buzby stated. “I
can’t execute the MSC mission without you. National
security and national defense rely on you.”

The admiral pointed out that agency and union
leaders regularly meet to address various issues af-
fecting both organizations, including mariners. He
specifically pointed to the ongoing Civilian Marine
Personnel Instructions (CMPI) 610 negotiations, and
expressed optimism about final changes being imple-
mented in the very near future.

Regular communications between labor and the
agency also help address issues “before they become
problems,” Buzby added. “All of this goes toward
maintaining a strong U.S. maritime industry that is
crucial to our continued leadership in a world that de-
pends on the seas and the maritime trade.”

Buzby described MSC as a “growth industry” and
said that “when it comes to new ships and missions,
the pace seems to be picking up.”

Among other examples, he cited the launch of the
joint high-speed vessel USNS Spearhead, slated for
delivery this summer. That vessel is one of 10 sched-
uled to be built; the first four will be crewed by civil-
service mariners, while the other six will be run by
private American-flag operators.

The commander further noted that NASSCO is
assembling modules for the first two mobile landing
platforms and soon will launch the final ship in the
14-vessel T-AKE fleet, the USNS Cesar Chavez.

Finally, Buzby said that MTD-affiliated unions
including the SIU “have been helping us as we take
advantage of your expertise and training. We will
continue to use your schools for some of our training.
Of course, we take advantage of your seamanship, and
your shipbuilding skills, and all the rest.

“We’ve been charting the same course as we move
America forward, and I fully expect that to continue,
so I’m looking forward to moving ahead together. So
thanks for your continued help and partnership – in
peace and war.”

Devany described NOAA’s missions and how mar-
iners’ work supports the U.S. economy. Those tasks
include weather forecasting, severe storms warnings,
fisheries management, marine charting, coastal resto-
ration and protection.

“All of these support maritime commerce and the
U.S. economy, and our fleet is dispersed across the
nation,” he pointed out. “There’s a vital national secu-
rity role as well as a commercial role.”

Devany acknowledged the budgetary battles that
are affecting NOAA’s fleet, but added, “We also
have some opportunities to move ahead,” including a
scheduled addition of a new ship that will be based in
San Diego.

He also said it is “imperative” that NOAA work
with maritime unions to help recruit “the mariners of
the future.”

Speaking of those efforts and others, he said they
“all require partnerships. The future of what NOAA
does, the future of the people who sail on our ships, is
built on partnerships not only with the folks that pro-
vide training, but also with the maritime unions…. I
look forward to a continued positive relationship with
all of you.”

Echoing not only the dominant theme of MTD
President Michael Sacco’s opening remarks but also a
key point in virtually every other address given at the
meeting, Carpenter said, “I also believe it’s all about
jobs, and it’s about how we innovate for the future.”

She said her parents grew up during the Great
Depression, which enhanced her appreciation for the
need for good jobs. “I understand firsthand your com-

mitment to jobs, to good jobs, and how that fits into
the maritime industry.”

Carpenter discussed maritime training and also
how various regulations affect such training, includ-
ing cost. “We must be united together in turning back
some of these regulations that are stifling our econ-
omy, and stifling the jobs, and stifling our opportuni-
ties to move forward competitively in such a global
industry,” she asserted.

She also touched on a recent visit to the SIU-
affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and
Education, calling it “a fine facility” and adding, “I
believe that there are ways that we can move forward
together” when it comes to innovative training.

Finally, she emphasized the importance of partner-
ships in the industry and how they will benefit every-
one.

MSC Commander, NOAA Admiral Cite
Crucial Work of U.S. Merchant Mariners
SUNY Maritime President Echoes Need for Good Jobs, Partnerships

SIU VP Government Services Kermett Mangram (right) and Asst. VP Chet Wheeler (left) are
pictured with MSC Commander Rear Adm. Mark Buzby following the admiral’s address to the
executive board.

Rear Adm. Wendi Carpenter
President, SUNY Maritime

MTD President Michael Sacco (right), Rear Adm. Michael
Devany

2012 AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department Executive Board Meeting

10950_LOG_X.indd 11 3/26/2012 6:54:24 PM



12 Seafarers LOG April 2012

2012 AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department Executive Board Meeting

MTD Snapshot
Formed in 1946, the Maritime Trades Department is a

constitutionally mandated department of the AFL-CIO. The
MTD’s 23 affiliates include the SIU, and altogether those
unions represent approximately 5 million members. The
MTD also features 21 port maritime councils.

SIU President Michael Sacco also serves as MTD presi-
dent, a post to which he most recently was re-elected in
2009.

The articles and images on pages 9-14 reflect some of
the happenings at this year’s MTD executive board meet-
ing, which took place March 8-9 near Orlando, Fla. Check
out the MTD’s new website (www.maritimetrades.org) for
additional information about the department.

Tom Orzechowski III, son of SIU VP Great Lakes
Tom Orzechowski, leads the Pledge of Allegiance
as President Michael Sacco looks on.

Joseph Soresi
VP Atlantic Coast

SIU

Nick Marrone
VP West Coast

SIU

Tom Orzechowski
VP Great Lakes

SIU

Don Nolan
Vice President

Paul Hall Center

Brian Schoeneman
Legislative Director

SIU

Larry Holbert
Director, Rail & Shipyards

Sheet Metal Workers

Jerry Abell
Secretary-Treasurer

South Florida Maritime
Trades Council

Warren Fairley
International VP

Boilermakers

Richard Lanigan
Vice President

OPEIU

Desiree Gralewicz
Secretary-Treasurer

SIU of Canada

Daniel W. Duncan
Exec. Secretary-Treasurer

MTD

Scott Winter
Vice President

MTD

Bernard Hostein
Asst. to President

Steelworkers

Robert Scardelletti
President

TCU

Bruce Smith
President

GMP

James Williams
President
Painters

Mark Spano
President

Novelty Workers

Tom Bethel
President

AMO

Mike Jewell
President

MEBA

Michel Desjardins
President

SIU of Canada

Roman Gralewicz
President Emeritus

SIU of Canada

Richard Hughes
President Emeritus

ILA

Gunnar Lundeberg
President

SUP

Anthony Poplawski
President
MFOW

Brian Bryant
Chief of Staff to VP

Machinists

Lynn Tucker,
General VP
Machinists

Joseph Condo
International VP

TCU

Tim Buxton
Cleveland Port

Maritime Council

10950_LOG_X.indd 12 3/26/2012 6:54:37 PM



April 2012 Seafarers LOG 13

2012 AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department Executive Board Meeting

Speakers Offer Different Perspectives, Same Focus: Jobs
Whether it involves port modernization

or harnessing new sources of energy, job
creation is at the forefront of planned and
needed maritime projects, noted three guest
speakers at last month’s Maritime Trades
Department, AFL-CIO executive board
meeting.

Robert Mitchell, CEO of Atlantic Wind
Connection, told the board on March 9 that
developing offshore wind energy on the
East Coast will generate good jobs and tens
of billions of dollars in economic activity.

A day earlier, both Barry Holliday, ex-
ecutive director of the Dredging Contractors
of America, and Paul Anderson, CEO of
the Jacksonville Port Authority, said that
the United States can’t waste any more time
improving the nation’s ports, or it will con-
tinue to cost the country jobs and other as-
sets. They both pointed to the surplus in the
Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and said
the money should be used for its explicit
mandate of paying for dredging.

Mitchell described Atlantic Wind’s 10-
year plan “to build more than 350 miles of
sub-sea transmission cable that will become
like the interstate highway for electricity
along the East Coast.”

He pointed out that between Washing-
ton, D.C. and New York City “we have the
most congested transmission corridor in
the United States, and that means that, just
like on a highway that’s congested, every-
thing slows down and it costs extra money
for people to sit in traffic. The analogy for
electricity is that the demand is there, and
you’ve got to push it through, but the power
that does get through now becomes ex-
tremely expensive.”

He estimated that from New Jersey to
Chicago, energy rate-payers fork over any-
where from $2 billion to $4 billion extra
in congestion cost “because we don’t have
enough transmission. When we build this
line, it will relieve a great deal of that con-
gestion.”

Mitchell said Atlantic Wind has the ad-
ministration’s support and is going through
the process of securing permits. Their goal
is “to have this operational by 2017-2018.”

He added that while the expected cre-
ation of 34,000 jobs associated with the
project may not seem like a large number,
the related economic activity is expected to
surpass $100 billion.

Finally, Mitchell stated that he doesn’t
view the project as one that competes with

other energy sources.
“America is going to need as much

energy as we can produce,” he said. “How
many times will we have an opportunity to
produce an entirely new industry for this
country? Right now, offshore wind is well-
developed in Europe. There are factories
there that are producing the turbines and the
towers and blades and so on. But it’s expen-
sive to move all of that over here. There’s
no reason at all why we can’t put American
workers to work, producing quality ma-
chines that are going to be great not only
for our environment but for our economy.”

Holliday described the Harbor Main-
tenance Trust (HMT) Fund and explained
a four-year effort to improve U.S. ports
spearheaded by a large coalition called Re-
alize America’s Maritime Promise.

“It’s all about jobs, and this is no excep-
tion,” he said. “It’s been our mantra all
through this in talking with Congress….
Our focus right now is to try to get the
HMT legislation introduced into the trans-
portation bills on both the House and the
Senate side, and as many of you know,
that’s been a real challenge…. I have my
fingers and toes crossed that we’ll have
some recognition and acknowledgement
that this is important to our nation and our
jobs.”

The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund
provides money for the United States
Army Corps of Engineers to dredge feder-
ally maintained harbors to their authorized
depths and widths. That money comes from
the Harbor Maintenance Tax, under which
certain users of U.S. coastal and Great
Lakes harbors pay a tariff of $1.25 per
$1,000 in cargo value passing through these
waters. The tax applies to imported and
domestic waterborne cargo, as well as the
ticket value of cruise ship passengers.

The tax was intended to provide a suf-
ficient, stable, long-term source of funding
to pay for harbor dredging. In recent years,
Fund expenditures have remained flat while
collections have increased with rising im-
ports, creating a large surplus. The Fund’s
uncommitted balance continues to grow
and reached an estimated $6.1 billion at the
beginning of fiscal year 2012. Yet, many
U.S. harbors are under-maintained because
the federal government has been using the
trust fund to off-set increasing deficits,
rather than spending the funds on what they
were intended – harbor maintenance and
dredging.

Those points where echoed by Ander-
son, who said that larger ships are here
already, and U.S. ports must grow to ac-
commodate them.

“To handle these ships, we’re having
to sail these in at high tide,” he explained.
“The ships have to wait to come in to
ports along the East Coast of the United
States because the channels are not deep
enough.”

Anderson said that all of Florida’s 14
ports have lost jobs “because those ships
are not able to call at our ports 24/7…. Our
country is woefully behind in our invest-
ment in port infrastructure.”

He mentioned that as recently as 10
years ago, Los Angeles/Long Beach was
ranked as the world’s third container port.
Today it is ranked tenth, and the six over-
seas ports that moved ahead of it didn’t
exist a decade ago.

Anderson said he believes political red
tape is a big part of the problem.

“This is a critical, critical factor in our
country’s ability to maintain competitive-
ness over the next decade,” he declared.
“We have to change the process and the
system and the funding for our nation’s
gateway infrastructure…. We need faster
improvement of our ports, full use of the
Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund … and if
we don’t get on the stick, our country is
going to face serious problems in the next
decade with the ability to handle bigger
ships.”

Paul Anderson, CEO
Jacksonville Port Authority

Barry Holliday, Exec. Director
Dredging Contractors of America

Robert Mitchell, CEO
Atlantic Wind Connection

High-ranking officials from the Interna-
tional Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
and the influential global tanker association
Intertanko told the Maritime Trades Depart-
ment, AFL-CIO executive board that prog-
ress is happening in the battle against piracy,
but it’s still a significant problem.

ITF Seafarers’ Section Secretary Jon
Whitlow talked to the board on March 9,
while Intertanko Managing Director Joseph
Angelo (a former U.S. Coast Guard official)
addressed the MTD a day earlier. Both men
asserted that mariner wellbeing should be
the first consideration in the piracy fight.

Whitlow pointed out that since 2008,
more than 800 vessels have been attacked
by pirates; last year alone, some 113 vessels
were fired upon.

During that same period, and sometimes
inexplicably omitted from mainstream
reporting, Whitlow noted, “More than
60 seafarers have died – killed by pirates
in crossfire or deliberately, by suicide in
despair, killed in naval action to counter
piracy, or died through illness, usually [be-
cause of] poor water, poor nutrition.”

He said that the “failure to confront pi-
racy off of Somalia has led to it becoming a
growing problem elsewhere, (including) off
West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.”

Whitlow declared the challenges in com-
batting piracy include lack of effort by some

of the major flag states; attempts to outlaw
ransom payments; an overall reduction of
naval assets; and not enough prosecution
of pirates, sometimes labeled “catch and
release.”

However, he also stated that real progress
has been made, as reflected by reliable fig-
ures which demonstrate far fewer successful
attempted attacks. Positive developments
include growing political will, the use of
armed security guards, improved shipboard
practices, “more robust naval action,” and
follow-up care for mariners after they return
home from a piracy incident.

A less-obvious but much-needed step,
Whitlow continued, is stopping the pirates
before they ever leave shore. The ITF “is on
record with 60 governments calling for the
need to attack the pirate logistic bases on
land.”

Finally, he talked about the Save Our
Seafarers (SOS) campaign, launched one
year ago by organizations representing
every component of the maritime industry,
including the ITF and Intertanko. In order to
achieve the campaign’s goals, the industry
first had to get the attention of the people
whom Whitlow described as “the decision-
makers.”

With that in mind, he stated, “The big-
gest achievement in our eyes is that we’ve
secured mainstream press coverage. Previ-

ously we’d been confined to the maritime
press…. We have managed to secure wide-
spread and regular coverage in Reuters, five
articles in Time magazine, a special edition
of The Economist, coverage by the BBC,
CNN, Daily Telegraph, Financial Times,
Wall Street Journal to name but a few. So
we’ve moved into the main press.”

However, he concluded, “We’ve got a
long way to go, and we need to put an end to
the scourge of piracy once and for all.”

Much of Angelo’s presentation also
focused on piracy, but he first pointed out
that Intertanko is a non-profit association
of independent owners and operators of oil
and chemical tankers (oil companies are
not members). Collectively, the 230 or so
members account for about 80 percent of the
world’s tanker fleet.

He described why his organization is
deeply concerned about its market – wor-
ries that perhaps were best illustrated by the
grim fact that current tanker market rates are
consistently below shipowners’ operating
costs.

Nevertheless, he said that piracy, espe-
cially off the coast of Somalia, is the inter-
national shipping industry’s main concern.
And, like Whitlow, he stated that the plight
of mariners should top that list.

Progress in Piracy Fight, but Much Work Remains

Continued on Page 14

Jon Whitlow
ITF Seafarers’ Section Secretary

Joseph Angelo
Intertanko Managing Director

10950_LOG_X.indd 13 3/26/2012 6:54:41 PM



14 Seafarers LOG April 2012

2012 AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department Executive Board Meeting

Federation President Says It’s Time For Labor To Lead

Grimm said the ports in New York City and
a few other ports around the country started
commerce in the Unites States. “That’s
where it all began, so we don’t need a Har-
vard professor or some other Ivy League
expert consultant to tell me how to create
jobs,” he said. “Our forefathers and ances-
tors invested in our ports when they came
here; they invested in our infrastructure, they
invested in our maritime industry.”

During the next 15 years, the expectation
is that international trade will double. This,
he said, sounds like an excellent opportunity
to create jobs and is the chief reason why he
has been pushing for improving our ports—
getting ready for the mega ships that will be
coming into Staten Island and elsewhere.

“Why don’t we continue to create jobs in
the areas that we know already work?” he
asked the board. “I’m talking about good-
paying, honorable and distinguished jobs
where people go to work with dignity, work
hard and are able to feed their families.

“That’s really what it’s all about,” he
continued. “I believe that the American
dream is to have the opportunity to give
the next generation more and that’s why I
have been an ardent and fervent supporter
of maritime, because I really do think that
it’s a part of the greatness of this country….
That’s where American exceptionalism got

its start.”
Speaking specifically about the maritime

industry, Congressman Grimm voiced his
support. “I’ve been there with all of you
from day one,” he said. “Whether it was
the MSP, or the Jones Act, or the need to
get monies so that we could continue to
dredge, I was in your corner. I would still
like to know why we don’t use 100 percent
of the money from our ports for our ports;
to dredge and make other improvements,”
he continued. “In my view, it’s foolish and
constitutes a fight that we need to have. We
need to bring that to the forefront.”

Congressman Grimm said he has been
talking to many of his congressional col-
leagues about these issues. He also told the
board that it was not always an easy task
as a Republican to stand up with labor, but
nonetheless pledged his unwavering sup-
port.

Recalling a recent union-related vote on
the House floor in which he cast the decid-
ing ballot in favor of labor, he said, “After
the vote, some of my friends from labor
came up to me and said we were holding our
breaths. I’m here today to let each and every
single one of you know … that you don’t
have to hold your breath with me. I’m there
for and with you and I’m going to be there.
And I’m going to be there, not because I
need your vote … but because I believe in
you and that’s how I was raised.”

Despite the administration’s real or
perceived shortcomings, Trumka urged
his audience to remain resolute in labor’s
quest to level the playing field for work-
ing families in this country. “We know
progress never comes easy, and that’s
why our job is to never stop demanding
more—demanding from this president,
demanding more from the senate and the
state houses and the state legislators and
from any other leader that’s out there.

“We cannot allow the blowback from
the right-wing to make us lose track of
the very real progress we have made
since 2008 when we were losing 700,000
jobs per month. Seven hundred thousand
of our brothers and sisters were becoming
unemployed every month,” he said.

With the help of organized labor,
Trumka said that the job hemorrhag-
ing has stopped. “President Obama
has created more jobs, almost 3 million
in a recession, than George Bush did
in eight years of good times,” Trumka
said. “He enacted a health care reform
that’s going to make a life-and-death,
dollars-and-cents difference for work-
ing people.

“He passed strong and significant Wall
Street reform and he bypassed the effort
to keep the consumer financial protection
bureau from doing its job,” he continued.
“And, President Obama also bypassed
right-wing obstructionism to keep the Na-
tional Labor Relations Board working to
protect workers.”

Trumka told those present that as
they recalled the frustrations of the past

four years, they should remember one
truth about politics: Sometimes elected
leaders lead, sometimes we walk side by
side and sometimes “it’s on us to push
them forward and get behind them and
kick them in the backside to keep them
moving forward as we push them ahead.
That’s our job and we can’t forget about
that. “Now is the time for us to lead, to
show them where to go and how to cre-
ate jobs.

“It’s time for us to do our part for the
American Dream, so that working people
can earn a fair wage and some good ben-
efits and can look forward to a secure
retirement,” he continued. “So that every
worker can have the right to bargain col-
lectively for a better life. So that the in-
frastructure in this country that’s falling
down around us gets rebuilt. It’s time for

us to lead.”
In closing, Trumka said that if we

want a better America then we are going
to have to work for it. “We are going to
have to stand for it together,” he said.
“Each and every one of us, you and me,
all of us standing together to bring out the
best in America, to bring out the best in
ourselves, and each other. Because, when
we are united, we are the 99 percent.
We are moving America forward. And I
promise you that if we stay united—not
lip service solidarity, but real solidarity
where your fight is absolutely my fight
and my fight is your fight—no one will
ever be able to turn us around.

“We will rebuild the middle class and
we will rebuild and take back America
for every last worker that’s out there,” he
concluded.

Continued from Page 9

Continued from Page 10

Angelo recalled doing a BBC inter-
view last year about a tanker that had
been captured en route to Houston. The
vessel was carrying $200 million worth
of cargo.

“My response was, the number one
concern of Intertanko and the entire ship-
ping industry is the 35 seafarers on the
ship who are being detained,” he said.
“Not only that, but the 700 seafarers who
were being held (in Somalia) as hostages.
The response I got from the reporter was,
‘Oh, we didn’t know that, that’s very
interesting. But let’s talk about the $200
million cargo.’ ”

He added that Intertanko deserves
credit for initiating the SOS campaign,
which is expanding its outreach and cur-
rently has 30 industry organizations on

board. The campaign’s goals include
boosting government will to eradicate pi-
racy in part by increasing general public
awareness; stopping the use of mother
ships; increasing prosecution of pirates;
adding naval assets in the region; and tak-
ing action ashore in Somalia to address
piracy’s root causes.

Overall, Angelo (who led numerous
U.S. delegations to the International
Maritime Organization while working for
the Coast Guard) said that Intertanko’s
main goals all involve mariner welfare
and safety: no fatalities, no pollution,
no ship detentions. He stated that while
some outsiders are surprised to learn that
seafarers are such a big part of Inter-
tanko’s focus, the organization is proud
of its priorities and will continue working
on issues including piracy, shore access,
accommodation spaces, fatigue and more.

The first guest speaker to address the board was Capt. Andrew McGovern
(above), a member of the MM&P and the president of the United New Jersey
Sandy Hook Pilots. McGovern introduced the stirring video “Boatlift,” a 12-minute
piece that shows how mariners responded to the 9/11 tragedy in New York. (Look
it up on YouTube.) McGovern said he agreed to be interviewed for the video
“because I think it’s important that we try to show the resiliency of the marine
transportation system and what the seafarer can do in times of trouble.” He said
that the industry’s biggest problem “is that nobody knows what we do,” and he
hopes “Boatlift” will generate well-deserved positive exposure and, in turn, help
produce more jobs. The evacuation from Manhattan on September 11, 2001 was
the largest water evacuation in history (nearly 500,000 civilians moved by boat),
and greatly was aided by SIU members aboard NY Waterway ferries. McGovern
added that 9/11 itself was just the start of the story for the local maritime industry,
whose members spent four days transporting rescue workers and performing
other tasks as needed while area roads, bridges and tunnels were closed.

Union Captain Helps Promote Industry

Michael Stotz (above), president and managing director of the AFL-CIO Investment
Trust Corporation (ITC), spoke at the MTD meeting on March 9. The ITC works with
the labor movement and the pension community to raise capital for labor-related invest-
ment projects. Funds served by the ITC have more than 170 pension plan investors
and more than $2.5 billion in total assets. “Our returns are very, very competitive, and
I’m really proud of that,” Stotz said. “We think that not only are we creating jobs, but
we’re doing it very strategically to keep the returns quite competitive…. We build union
and we service union 100 percent.” He said that in simplest terms, the ITC’s mission is
“let’s get workers’ money to work for workers.”

‘100 Percent Union’

Continued from Page 13

Three Voice Praise for Labor Movement

Piracy Remains Troubling Issue

10950_LOG.indd 14 3/23/2012 10:22:53 AM



April 2012 Seafarers LOG 15

Piney Point....................................Monday: May 7, June 4

Algonac..........................................Friday: May 11, June 8

Baltimore...................................Thursday: May 10, June 7

Guam.......................................Thursday: May 24, June 21

Honolulu......................................Friday: May 18, June 15

Houston......................................Monday: May 14, June 11

Jacksonville...............................Thursday: May 10, June 7

Joliet........................................Thursday: May 17, June 14

Mobile..................................Wednesday: May 16, June 13

New Orleans...................................Tuesday: May 15, June 12

New York......................................Tuesday: May 8, June 5

Norfolk......................................Thursday: May 10, June 7

Oakland....................................Thursday: May 17, June 14

Philadelphia..............................Wednesday: May 9, June 6

Port Everglades........................Thursday: May 17, June 14

San Juan.....................................Thursday: May 10, June 7

St. Louis.......................................Friday: May 18, June 15

Tacoma.........................................Friday: May 25, June 22

Wilmington....................................Monday: May 21, June 18
Each port’s meeting starts at 10:30 a.m.

May & June
Membership Meetings

Deck Department
Algonac 14 7 2 35 14 4 0 12 15 1
Anchorage 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 3 0
Baltimore 5 7 1 2 3 0 2 9 12 1
Fort Lauderdale 18 16 0 8 10 0 3 24 23 2
Guam 2 2 0 3 5 1 0 7 3 0
Honolulu 10 7 2 5 1 1 0 20 10 4
Houston 39 12 3 28 8 0 15 94 28 15
Jacksonville 30 25 3 28 13 1 10 49 59 5
Joliet 6 7 0 12 7 0 0 2 7 2
Mobile 16 9 0 12 4 0 1 18 6 0
New Orleans 16 3 0 9 1 0 1 24 10 1
New York 35 19 3 38 8 0 13 72 35 3
Norfolk 16 15 1 10 17 1 6 24 31 7
Oakland 24 8 1 19 4 1 8 43 18 0
Philadelphia 7 7 0 6 0 0 3 11 10 0
Piney Point 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Puerto Rico 9 5 1 10 4 0 4 14 14 2
Tacoma 40 14 2 32 14 2 13 64 26 4
St. Louis 4 3 0 2 1 0 0 7 4 0
Wilmington 33 22 2 25 10 0 11 68 47 8
TOTALS 326 188 21 285 125 12 90 564 361 55

Engine Department
Algonac 1 7 4 10 7 3 0 3 4 3
Anchorage 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 1
Baltimore 6 8 0 3 3 0 2 5 6 0
Fort Lauderdale 4 5 0 5 2 0 0 12 10 0
Guam 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 1 0
Honolulu 11 4 0 4 4 0 1 18 5 1
Houston 12 11 1 10 9 0 10 22 25 2
Jacksonville 18 16 0 11 11 0 8 39 40 1
Joliet 2 2 0 7 3 0 0 1 3 0
Mobile 8 5 0 5 1 1 0 15 4 1
New Orleans 3 1 0 1 2 0 0 9 2 0
New York 12 6 1 10 11 0 5 23 15 2
Norfolk 8 15 1 9 15 1 1 15 34 1
Oakland 14 8 0 2 5 0 2 23 17 0
Philadelphia 2 2 0 2 0 0 1 5 7 0
Piney Point 2 5 0 1 2 0 0 3 7 0
Puerto Rico 3 7 0 1 5 0 3 4 18 0
Tacoma 15 12 0 14 8 0 7 21 20 0
St. Louis 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 6 0
Wilmington 8 10 0 5 12 1 3 23 22 2
TOTALS 132 126 7 104 102 6 43 247 247 14

Steward Department
Algonac 3 2 1 2 4 0 0 8 3 1
Anchorage 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Baltimore 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 5 0 0
Fort Lauderdale 13 2 2 8 3 1 1 21 5 1
Guam 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 0
Honolulu 7 3 0 2 4 0 0 20 2 0
Houston 15 3 1 8 4 0 2 34 12 1
Jacksonville 16 9 2 10 3 0 4 29 12 3
Joliet 1 3 0 3 4 0 0 0 2 0
Mobile 3 1 0 6 1 1 1 5 6 0
New Orleans 8 2 2 2 0 0 1 9 5 2
New York 16 7 0 14 4 0 8 31 7 0
Norfolk 3 10 2 8 7 1 3 11 19 3
Oakland 11 2 1 13 2 1 4 25 4 2
Philadelphia 4 0 0 5 0 0 1 3 0 0
Piney Point 3 1 0 3 2 0 0 4 2 0
Puerto Rico 2 3 0 2 1 0 0 4 3 0
Tacoma 16 4 0 15 2 0 2 32 7 0
St. Louis 1 0 1 1 2 1 0 2 0 0
Wilmington 20 4 1 20 1 0 4 48 9 2
TOTALS 145 57 14 123 46 6 31 294 99 15

Entry Department
Algonac 3 7 5 4 19 1 2 3 15 20
Anchorage 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
Baltimore 1 6 1 1 3 0 0 1 4 4
Fort Lauderdale 0 4 2 0 5 0 0 0 15 5
Guam 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 1
Honolulu 4 4 9 1 3 5 1 9 12 12
Houston 0 14 8 2 8 1 1 6 24 9
Jacksonville 1 13 9 3 12 2 3 4 36 21
Joliet 0 9 0 0 11 0 0 1 1 3
Mobile 0 2 4 0 4 1 0 0 6 3
New Orleans 0 4 7 0 1 2 0 1 5 9
New York 7 30 9 1 15 6 2 13 54 30
Norfolk 0 17 15 0 19 7 3 0 25 30
Oakland 5 16 7 1 8 1 1 5 20 10
Philadelphia 0 3 3 0 2 0 0 0 2 4
Piney Point 0 11 27 0 7 24 1 0 11 15
Puerto Rico 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 2
Tacoma 8 11 4 5 9 2 1 8 18 8
St. Louis 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
Wilmington 5 10 7 2 6 2 1 12 26 23
TOTALS 34 164 118 20 135 55 16 64 287 209

GRAND TOTALS: 637 535 160 532 408 79 180 1,169 994 293


February 16, 2012 - March 15, 2012
Total Registered Total Shipped Registered on Beach
All Groups All Groups Trip All Groups

Port A B C A B C Reliefs A B C

Dispatchers’ Report for Deep SeaPersonals
Harold Viser Jr. wants to get in contact with Wilfred Mau-

rice. The two mariners sailed together during the early 1990s.
Viser’s phone number is (713) 775-7072.

Frank Jenkins would like to get in contact with Robert
Beecks. Jenkins’ phone number is (347) 325-6844.

Attention:
Seafarers

Another New Ship!

SPAD Works For You!
Contribute to the

Seafarers Political
Activities Donation

SPAD
10950_LOG.indd 15 3/23/2012 10:22:54 AM



16 Seafarers LOG April 2012

Editor’s note: This
month’s question was an-
swered by SIU members in
Piney Point, Md.

What do you like most
about your job?

Tristan Brand
QMED

I like working with my
hands, being able to get
outside and not sitting in an
office. I’m coast-side now,
but I really enjoyed travel-
ing when I had the chance to
work deep sea. And the pay.
The pay and the vacation are
both good things.

Zach Ross
Junior Engineer

I like the fact that I get
to work in a block schedule.
Working in blocks gives you

the opportunity to get a lot of
time off and a lot of money
at once. Also, you have the
opportunity to advance. The
union and the school give
you the opportunity to go
as far as you want. That’s a
great advantage to have.

Grayson Ross
Junior Engineer

The opportunity of ad-
vancement is my favorite
part. You have the option
of not only improving your
rating, but also being able to
do it at your own pace. You
don’t have to follow a set
path – it’s really up to you
how far and how fast you
want to go. Not a lot of other
jobs give you that kind of
freedom.

Samuel Shuebrooks
Oiler

I like having the oppor-
tunity to travel. I’m learning
new things every day, meet-
ing new people from differ-
ent cultures. The best place
I’ve been to so far is Dubai.
I got to see a totally different
way of living and I have the
opportunity to see places that
I never would’ve been able to
see in a different job. Aside

from the travel, I also get to
experience on-the-job train-
ing which, to me, is the best
way to learn.

Anthony Thomas
Oiler

There’s always something
interesting going on. You’re
constantly learning some-
thing new. I transferred over
to the engine department and
I’m learning every single
day. When you’re learning
how to work on engines and
things like that, those skills
not only help you become a
better mariner but are trans-
ferable to other fields as well.
With the training that I get,
I can work on all sorts of
engines. The stuff I learn at
work also helps me at home.
I can fix my own car and
save some money. That’s
something you can’t get any-
where else.

Michael Sacco, President
Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President

David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer
George Tricker, Vice President Contracts

Tom Orzechowski,
Vice President Lakes and Inland Waters
Dean Corgey, Vice President Gulf Coast

Nicholas J. Marrone, Vice President West Coast
Joseph T. Soresi, Vice President Atlantic Coast

Kermett Mangram,
Vice President Government Services

HEADQUARTERS
5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746

(301) 899-0675

ALGONAC
520 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001

(810) 794-4988

ANCHORAGE
721 Sesame St., #1C, Anchorage, AK 99503

(907) 561-4988

BALTIMORE
2315 Essex St., Baltimore, MD 21224

(410) 327-4900

GUAM
P.O. Box 3328, Hagatna, Guam 96932
Cliffline Office Ctr. Bldg., Suite 103B

422 West O’Brien Dr., Hagatna, Guam 96910
(671) 477-1350

HONOLULU
606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819

(808) 845-5222

HOUSTON
1221 Pierce St., Houston, TX 77002

(713) 659-5152

JACKSONVILLE
5100 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256

(904) 281-2622

JOLIET
10 East Clinton St., Joliet, IL 60432

(815) 723-8002

MOBILE
1640 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605

(251) 478-0916

NEW ORLEANS
3911 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058

(504) 328-7545

NEW YORK
635 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11232

(718) 499-6600
Government Services Division: (718) 499-6600

NORFOLK
115 Third St., Norfolk, VA 23510

(757) 622-1892

OAKLAND
1121 7th St., Oakland, CA 94607

(510) 444-2360

PHILADELPHIA
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

SANTURCE
1057 Fernandez Juncos Ave., Stop 16

Santurce, PR 00907
(787) 721-4033

ST. LOUIS/ALTON
4581 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116

(314) 752-6500

TACOMA
3411 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98409

(253) 272-7774

WILMINGTON
510 N. Broad Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744

(310) 549-4000

Seafarers International
Union Directory

If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with other Seafarers LOG readers,
please send it to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned,

if so requested. High-resolution digital images may be sent to webmaster@seafarers.org

Inquiring Seafarer

Pic-From-The-Past

In August 1948, nearly 150 members attended the first regular branch meeting at the new union hall in San Francisco, located
at 85 Third Street. Conducting the meeting were (from left) West Coast Representative Steve Cardullo, Chairman Al Bernstein,
Reading Clerk Roy Pierce and Recording Secretary H.A. Orlando.

10950_LOG.indd 16 3/23/2012 10:22:59 AM



April 2012 Seafarers LOG 17

DEEP SEA

IVAN AGUILAR
Brother Ivan Aguilar, 65, donned
the SIU colors in 1988. His first
voyage was
aboard the Pres-
ident Taylor; his
last was on the
Eugene A. Ob-
regon. Brother
Aguilar was
born in Nicara-
gua and sailed
in the deck department. He settled
in Metairie, La.

JOHN CADE
Brother John Cade, 65, signed on
with the union in 1965. He was a
frequent upgrader at the Paul Hall

Center. Brother
Cade’s earli-
est trip was on
a Transeastern
Shipping vessel.
His final ship
was the Overseas
Chicago. Brother
Cade, who sailed

in the engine department, lives in
Mobile, Ala.

GERALDINE CARTER
Sister Geraldine Carter, 65,
started sailing with the union in
1980 in San Francisco. A mem-
ber of the deck
department, she
upgraded on
three occasions
at the Piney
Point school.
Sister Carter
initially worked
on the Santa
Adela. Her most recent trip was
aboard the Oakland. Sister Carter
calls San Francisco home.

JOSEPH COMEAUX
Brother Joseph Comeaux, 62,
joined the SIU in 2001 as the
NMU merged into the Seafarers

International
Union. In 2001
and 2002,
Brother Co-
meaux attended
classes at the
SIU-affiliated
school in Piney
Point, Md. The
deck department

member’s last trip was on the
Horizon Spirit. Brother Comeaux
resides in Riverside, Calif.

RICHARD GARCEA
Brother Richard Garcea, 71,
was born in Spokane, Wash.
He became an
SIU member in
1971 while in
Seattle. Brother
Garcea often
took advantage
of educational
opportunities
at the Paul Hall
Center. He sailed as a member of

the steward department. Brother
Garcea’s final voyage was aboard
the Express. He continues to make
his home in Washington.

JOHN GLENN
Brother John Glenn, 65, began
sailing with the union in 1967.
He first worked with Columbia
Steamship Company. Brother
Glenn sailed
in the deck de-
partment, most
recently on the
North Star. He
attended classes
on numerous
occasions at the
maritime train-
ing center in Piney Point, Md.
Brother Glenn is a resident of
Enumclaw, Wash.

WILLIAM GOELTZ
Brother William Goeltz, 62,
signed on with the union in
1973. He originally sailed on the

Buck Monitor.
Brother Goeltz
was born in
Ashland, Wis.,
and worked in
the deck depart-
ment. In 2007,
he enhanced
his skills at

the Piney Point school. Brother
Goeltz last shipped aboard the Pr-
esque Isle. He lives in Wisconsin.

JOHN HENRY
Brother John Henry, 65, started
sailing with the SIU 2001 as
the NMU was merging into the
SIU. He mainly
worked aboard
vessels oper-
ated by Alaska
Tanker Com-
pany such as the
Tonsina and the
Prince William
Sound. Brother
Henry, who sailed in the engine
department, calls Keizer, Ore.,
home.

MARCOS HILL
Brother Marcos Hill, 63, donned
the SIU colors in 1968. His earli-
est trip was with Penn Tanker

Company.
Brother Hill
often attended
classes at the
Paul Hall Cen-
ter. His most
recent trip was
aboard the Ho-
rizon Falcon.

Brother Hill sailed in the engine
department and resides in New
Orleans.

CHARLES JAMES
Brother Charles James, 66, joined
the Seafarers in 1991 while in Se-
attle. His first ship was the Sealift
Arctic; his last was the Midnight
Sun. Brother James upgraded
in 1997 at the union-affiliated

school in Piney
Point, Md. The
deck department
member makes
his home in
Shelton, Wash.

ODELL MURRAY
Brother Odell Murray, 71, became
an SIU member in 2001 during
the SIU/NMU merger. On two oc-
casions he took
advantage of
educational op-
portunities avail-
able at the Piney
Point school.
Brother Mur-
ray’s final voy-
age was on the
Resolve. He sailed in the engine
department and lives in Houston.

RICHARD NICHOLAS
Brother Richard Nicholas, 62,
began his SIU career in 1990. He
initially shipped aboard the Fran-

cis Hammer.
Brother Nicho-
las enhanced his
seafaring abili-
ties often at the
Paul Hall Cen-
ter. He sailed in
the deck depart-
ment. Brother

Nicholas most recently worked on
the Dodge Island. He lives in Bay
Minette, Ala.

MICHAEL ORTON
Brother Michael Orton, 66, joined
the union in 2002 while in the

port of San
Francisco. In
2006, the deck
department
member went
to the maritime
training center in
Piney Point, Md.
Brother Orton’s
final trip to sea was aboard the
Lawrence Gianella. He calls Jack-
sonville, Fla., home.

CARMA PETERSEN
Sister Carma Petersen, 67, started
shipping with the Seafarers in
1998. She originally worked
on the USNS Silas Bent. Sister

Petersen was a
steward depart-
ment member.
She upgraded
in 2002 at the
Piney Point
school. Sister
Peterson’s last
trip was aboard

the USNS Pathfinder. She resides
in Roanoke, Va.

MICHAEL WEBER
Brother Michael Weber, 62,
donned the SIU colors in 2001
as the NMU
merged into the
Seafarers Inter-
national Union.
He primarily
sailed with Ma-
rine Personnel
& Provisioning
on vessels such
as the Yorktown Express and the
Washington Express. Brother

Weber attended classes in 1999
at the SIU-affiliated school in
Piney Point, Md. The deck de-
partment member is a resident of
Cornell, Mich.

INLAND

MICHAEL DOUTHITT
Brother Michael Douthitt, 64,
became a Seafarer in 1983 while

in the port of
New Orleans.
His earliest trip
was with Dravo
Basic Materi-
als Company.
Brother Dou-
thitt sailed in
the deck depart-

ment and last worked with Mar-
tin Marietta. He lives in Sontag,
Miss.

BENJAMIN GUILLOT
Brother Benjamin Guillot, 64,
joined the SIU ranks in 1992 in
New Orleans. He initially worked
with Energy
Ammonia
Transportation
Corporation.
The Louisiana
native sailed
in the deck
department.
Brother Guillot
upgraded his skills in 2000 and
2004 at the Paul Hall Center. His
final trip was on a vessel oper-
ated by Crowley Towing and
Transportation of Wilmington.
Brother Guillot makes his home
in Slidell, La.

Each month, the Seafarers LOG pays tribute to the SIU members who have devoted
their working lives to sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels on the deep seas, inland water-
ways or Great Lakes. Listed below are brief biographical sketches of those members
who recently retired from the union. The brothers and sisters of the SIU thank those
members for a job well done and wish them happiness and good health in the days
ahead.

Welcome Ashore

Editor’s note: The following items are reprinted
from previous editions of the Seafarers LOG.

1950
With a complete tie-up of all U.S. shipping by

the powerful AFL Maritime Trades Department
hanging over their heads, East and Gulf coast
ship operators quickly altered their union-busting
stand and negotiated an agreement with the AFL
Masters, Mates and Pilots. The pact was signed on
April 21, just 36 hours before the strike deadline
set by the licensed officers’ union. The settlement
ended nine months of stalling by the operators. At
the request of federal mediators, the old contract
had been extended four times since it expired on
September 30. Member unions of the MTD in-
tervened in the dispute when they were satisfied
that the shipowners were intent on destroying the
MM&P, one of the AFL waterfront group’s affili-
ates.

1960
Hitting back at Egypt President Nasser’s black-

listing of American-flag ships, the SIU and the
International Longshoremen’s Association have
tied up the Egyptian-flag SS Cleopatra in New
York harbor. A joint SIU-ILA picket line dem-
onstration protesting the blacklist has idled the
Egyptian vessel since Wednesday morning, April
13, when the ship arrived in New York. Efforts
by the owners of the vessel (which, incidentally,
includes the Egyptian government) to obtain court
orders against the picket line were rebuffed in two
federal courts.

1970
“No industry is more dependent on world trade

than the merchant marine,” AFL-CIO Secretary-
Treasurer Lane Kirkland told a conference on the
crisis in international trade. But he warned: “When
American exports are being shipped on foreign-
flag vessels, American jobs are being exported.
When U.S.-made goods are exported, if it’s on a
foreign bottom, a service – shipping – is being im-
ported.” He spoke at an AFL-CIO Industrial Union
Department conference, “Developing Crisis in In-
ternational Trade.”

1980
Wherever she goes on the Great Lakes, Ameri-

can Steamship’s brand-new bulk carrier will serve
as a floating ambassador, paying tribute to all hard-
working U.S. seamen. Because the name painted
on her 730-foot hull is MV American Mariner. At
christening ceremonies held April 15 at Bay Ship-
building’s Sturgeon Bay, Wisc., yard, the SIU-
contracted vessel was dedicated “to the generation
of seamen – past and present – who have kept the
Lakes as the primary transportation link in North
America’s heartland.” Ably wielding the inaugu-
ral bottle of champagne over American Steam-
ship’s tenth new vessel in seven years was Valerie
Nemirow, wife of Maritime Administration head
Samuel B. Nemirow, who gave the keynote speech
of the day.

Editor’s note: The following items are reprinted

This Month In SIU History

10950_LOG.indd 17 3/23/2012 10:23:02 AM



18 Seafarers LOG April 2012

DEEP SEA

WILLIAM BARNES
Pensioner William Barnes, 89,
passed away Nov. 18. Brother
Barnes was born in Alabama.
The steward department mem-
ber began receiving his retire-
ment compensation in 1970.
Brother Barnes called Irvington,
Ala., home.

WILLIAM DILLON
Pensioner William Dillon, 82,
died Oct. 25. Brother Dillon be-
came a union member in 1960
while in the port
of New York.
He was origi-
nally employed
aboard the
Cantigny. The
engine depart-
ment member
was born in
Massachusetts. Brother Dillon
last sailed on the Challenger. In
1995, he retired and settled in
Jacksonville, Fla.

FREDDIE GRIFFIN
Pensioner Freddie Griffin, 71,
passed away Oct. 27. Brother
Griffin began sailing with the

SIU in 1984. His
earliest trip to
sea was aboard
the Portland.
Brother Griffin
was a native of
Onward, Miss.
Prior to his re-

tirement in 2002, he sailed on
the Westward Venture. Brother
Griffin, a member of the deck
department, made his home in
Renton, Wash.

RONALD HACKENSMITH
Brother Ronald Hackensmith,
61, died Nov. 21. He started
sailing with the union in 1996.
Brother Hackensmith, who
sailed in the engine department,
was first employed aboard the
Presque Isle. He was born in
Evansville, Wis. Brother Hack-
ensmith’s last voyage was on
the St. Marys Challenger. He
was a resident of Gordon, Wis.

ALI MOHAMED
Brother Ali Mohamed, 59,
passed away Oct. 27. He signed
on with the SIU in 1990.
Brother Mohamed, a member
of the steward department, ini-
tially shipped on the Indepen-
dence. He was a Yemen native.
Brother Mohamed last sailed
aboard the Cape Jacob. He
lived in Dearborn, Mich.

STEVEN MYRICK
Brother Steven Myrick, 54,
died Oct. 31. He first donned
the SIU colors in 2008. Brother
Myrick’s earliest trip was
aboard the Integrity. The stew-
ard department member most
recently shipped on the Free-
dom. Brother Myrick called
Baltimore home.

EDWARD O’BRIEN
Pensioner Edward O’Brien, 85,
passed away Nov. 13. Brother
O’Brien began shipping with
the union in
1967. He was
a New York
native and
worked in the
deck depart-
ment. Brother
O’Brien first
sailed aboard
the Eagle Traveler. His final
trip was on the Liberator.
Brother O’Brien went on pen-
sion in 1998 and resided in Po-
mona, Calif.

GRADY STEWART
Pensioner Grady Stewart, 83,
died Nov.14. Brother Stewart
became a Seafarer in 1962. He

initially sailed
with Seatrade
Corporation.
The Florida-
born mariner
was a member
of the deck
department.
Brother Stew-

art’s final trip was aboard the
Overseas New Orleans. He
started collecting his pension
in 1995 and made his home in
Jay, Fla.

TELE TOGIAI
Brother Tele Togiai, 61, passed
away Nov. 22. He joined the
union in 1979. Brother Togiai
originally shipped on the Pio-
neer. He worked in the engine
department. Brother Togiai last
worked as a crane maintenance
electrician on the West Coast.
He was a resident of Fort Mo-
have, Az.

INLAND

ANTHONY CHIPERAS
Brother Anthony Chiperas, 67,
died Nov. 26. He began sail-
ing with the SIU in 2004 while
in the port of Norfolk, Va.
Brother Chiperas mainly sailed
aboard Allied Towing vessels.
The steward department mem-
ber made his home in Norfolk.

GILBERT DIGGS
Brother Gilbert Diggs, 52,
passed away Nov. 17. He was
born in Newport News, Va.
Brother Diggs started his SIU
career in 1999. He worked pri-
marily with Allied Transporta-
tion Company. Brother Diggs
sailed in both the engine and
steward departments. He lived
in Haynesville, Va.

JOSEPH MAZUREK
Pensioner Joseph Mazurek, 82,
died Dec. 6. Brother Mazurek
first donned the SIU colors in
1962. He spent
most of his
career aboard
Moran Towing
of Maryland
vessels. Brother
Mazurek be-
came a pen-
sioner in 1987
and resided in his native state of
Maryland.

ALFRED SMITH
Pensioner Alfred Smith, 74,
passed away Nov. 17. Brother
Smith signed on with the SIU
in 1962. He was a deck depart-
ment member. Brother Smith
initially worked with Merritt
Chapman & Scott. He was a
Connecticut native. Brother
Smith was last employed with
Turecamo Maritime. He retired
in 1997 and called New Jersey
home.

GREAT LAKES

PETER NAGOWSKI
Brother Peter Nagowski, 55,
died Oct. 26. He was born in
New York. Brother Nagowski
became a union member in
1976. His earliest trip was on
the Frank Denton. Brother
Nagowski, who sailed in the
deck department most recently
worked aboard the Indiana Har-
bor. He was a resident of Wil-
liamsville, N.Y.

GLENN WEIST
Pensioner Glenn Weist, 88,
passed away Nov. 13. Brother
Weist joined the union in 1957

while in Fort
Lauderdale, Fla.
He originally
worked with
T.J McCarthy
Steamship. The
deck depart-
ment member
was born in

Pennsylvania. Before retiring in
1988, Brother Weist shipped on

the St. John. He made his home
in Bedford, Pa.

Editor’s note: The following
brothers, all former members
of the National Maritime Union
(NMU), have passed away.

FRANK BALLOU
Pensioner Frank Ballou, 86,
died Oct. 30. Brother Ballou
went on pension in 1974. He
made his home in La Marque,
Texas.

DAGOBERTO BORGES
Pensioner Dagoberto Borges, 93,
died Nov. 11. Brother Borges
was born in Cuba. He retired
in 1987 and made his home in
Galveston, Texas.

BERTRAND DANIELS
Pensioner Bertrand Daniels, 84,
passed away Oct. 29. Brother
Daniels was born in Jackson-
ville, Fla. He became a pen-
sioner in 1991 and continued to
reside in Jacksonville.

JOSEPH DENNIS
Pensioner Joseph Dennis, 78,
died Oct. 5. Brother Dennis,
a native of Alabama, started
collecting his retirement com-
pensation in 1995. He lived in
Mobile.

LUCIAN HARRIS
Pensioner Lucian Harris, 86,
passed away Oct. 4. The Texas-
born mariner became a pen-
sioner in 1990. Brother Harris
called Houston home.

NATHANIEL JACKSON
Pensioner Nathaniel Jackson,
84, died Oct. 28. Brother Jack-
son was born in Virginia. He
went on pension in 1995 and
was a resident of Houston.

GERMAN KERCADU
Pensioner German Kercadu, 77,
passed away Oct. 27. Brother
Kercadu, a native of Fajardo,
P.R., began receiving his pen-
sion in 1989. He settled in
Philadelphia.

JOHN KNIGHT
Pensioner John Knight, 89, died
Oct. 31. Brother Knight was
born in New York. He retired
in 1984 and made his home in
Tuskegee, Ala.

RAYMOND LANKFORD
Pensioner Raymond Lankford,

60, passed away Oct. 5. Brother
Lankford was a Virginia native.
He went on pension in 2006 and
resided in Norfolk, Va.

PAUL MILOBAR
Pensioner Paul Milobar, 88,
died Oct. 25. Born in Nebraska,
Brother Milobar became a
pensioner in 1965. He lived in
Lincoln, Neb.

RAMON ORTIZ
Pensioner Ramon Ortiz, 92,
passed away Oct. 30. Brother
Ortiz, a native of Puerto Rico,
started collecting his retirement
pay in 1968. He called Brook-
lyn, N.Y., home.

MANUEL PUIG
Pensioner Manuel Puig, 86,
passed away Nov. 10. Brother
Puig, a native of Caguas, P.R.,
went on pension in 1970. He
lived in Deltona, Fla.

ROBERT REQUA
Pensioner Robert Requa, 84,
died Oct. 31. Brother Requa
was born in New York. He went
on pension in 2001. Brother
Requa settled in Davenport,
Wash.

ANTONIO VARA
Pensioner Antonio Vara, 79,
passed away Oct. 25. Born in
Spain, Brother Vara began re-
ceiving his pension in 1994. He
continued to make his home in
Spain.

DALLAS WILLIAMSON
Pensioner Dallas William-
son, 84, died Oct. 7. Brother
Williamson was born in
Plaquemine, La. He became
a pensioner in 1989. Brother
Williamson was a resident of
Iberville, La.

SO YUE
Pensioner So Yue, 101, passed
away Oct. 11. Brother Yue, a
native of China, retired in 1966.
He lived in Sunnyvale, Calif.

Name Age DOD
Bauer, John 71 Nov. 1
Rivera, Manuel 88 Oct. 29
Taylor, Luke 83 Nov. 7
Torres, Francisco 86 Oct. 29
Torres, Miguel 87 Nov. 4

Final
Departures

10950_LOG.indd 18 3/23/2012 10:23:03 AM



April 2012 Seafarers LOG 19

HORIZON ENTERPRISE (Horizon
Lines), January 27 – Chairman
George B. Khan, Secretary
Scott A. Opsahl, Educational
Director Shawn L. Clark,
Engine Delegate Albert Dulig,
Steward Delegate Joseph
J. Gallo. Chairman asked
mariners to help keep common
areas clean and return movies
when finished watching them.
He let crew know TV series
available upon request. Secretary
requested members leave fresh
linens for reliefs. Educational
director suggested Seafarers
take advantage of courses
available at the Paul Hall Center
for Maritime Training and
Education in Piney Point, Md.
He also reminded them that they
will not be able to ship if MMD/
Merchant Mariner Credential
runs out before the trip ends, so
keep documents up-to-date. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Members were advised to check
out members-only section of
the SIU website. Suggestion
was made to cover periodontal
maintenance, to prevent gum
disease which is a gateway
to other health issues such as
heart disease and stroke. Crew
members were reminded that
there is no smoking in computer
room. Thanks given to the
steward department for a job
well done. Honorable mention
given to SA Steve Walsh and
D.E.U. Zayed Ali for making
crew members’ jobs a lot easier.
Next ports: Tacoma, Wash.,
Oakland, Calif. and Honolulu.

MAERSK CAROLINA (Maersk
Line, Limited), January 29 –
Chairman Albert Williams,
Secretary Alexander Banky,
Educational Director Carl D.
Montoya, Deck Delegate Daniel
K. Murley, Engine Delegate
Albert Riollano, Steward
Delegate Medardo Thomas.
Bosun thanked crew for a safe
80th voyage. Secretary urged
crew to read Seafarers LOG to
stay up-to-date on information
pertaining to the union, benefits
and shipping rules. They were
also encouraged to contribute
to SPAD and reminded that
when they do, they are helping
themselves as well as their
union brothers and sisters. He
recognized SA Tharwat Saleh
for completing his tour (200
days) without safety issues or
health problems. Educational
director reminded crew to get
their time in and take advantage
of upgrading at Paul Hall Center
in Piney Point, Md. Treasurer
stated $2,456 in ship’s fund.
Suggestion made to use ship
fund monies to put satellite pay
phone in ship’s conference room
and sell calling cards out of
slop chest so all crew members
can call home. Beef reported in
engine department; no disputed
OT. Request was made for
new toaster in crew mess.
Recommendations were made
regarding medical, pension and
vacation benefits. Next ports:
Newark, N.J., Charleston, S.C.
and Norfolk, Va.

CHAMPION (Maersk Line,
Limited), February 26, -

Chairman James K. Walker,
Secretary Willie E. Massaline,
Educational Director Dennis R.
Baker, Deck Delegate Jerry
P. Ray, Steward Delegate Will
D. Dalton, Engine Delegate
Samuel M. Addo. Chairman
went over ship’s itinerary and
encouraged mariners to read
the president’s report in the
Seafarers LOG. Secretary
urged members to support our
union leadership and donate to
SPAD and MDL. Educational
director advised everyone
check expiration dates and keep
documents current. He also
suggested Seafarers upgrade
at the SIU-affiliated school in
Piney Point, Md. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Crew
thanked the steward department
for excellent food. Members
would like to increase pension
amounts and lower sea time
requirements. Next port:
Elizabeth, N.J.

COMET (Maersk Line, Limited),
February 25 – Chairman
Khaled G. Munassar,
Secretary William E. Bragg,
Educational Director Rene
R. Rosario, Engine Delegate
Alton Hickman, Steward
Delegate Reynaldo Ricarte.
Chairman thanked crew
members for a smooth voyage.
He asked those departing vessel
to ensure rooms are clean and
ready for reliefs. Mariners
were reminded to make sure all
necessary seafaring documents

were up-to-date. Secretary
noted payoff to take place in
Long Beach, Calif., on February
27. Educational director urged
mariners to upgrade often at
the Piney Point school. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Request was made to increase
food budget to reflect current
food prices. Vote of thanks was
given to steward department for
good meals and deck dayman
for always rendering assistance.
Next ports: Long Beach, Calif.
and Oakland, Calif.

FREEDOM (ARC), February
2 – Chairman Timothy J.
Fitzgerald, Secretary Frank
J. Starling, Educational
Director Angel Cintron. Bosun
discussed ship’s schedule and
announced payoff in Beaumont,
Texas, on February 7. Secretary
advised all mariners to attend
classes at the union-affiliated
school in Piney Point, Md.
No beefs or disputed OT
reported. Next ports: Beaumont,
Texas, Jacksonville, Fla. and
Charleston, S.C.

HORIZON TRADER (Horizon
Lines), February 7 – Chairman
George H. Saltz, Secretary
Kevin M. Dougherty,
Educational Director Thomas
M. Flynn, Engine Delegate
Igbal Mahmood. Chairman
stated payoff to take place
upon arrival in Elizabeth,
N.J., on February 10. He
expressed gratitude to the

steward department for great
barbecue and Super Bowl party.
Educational director advised
all mariners to enhance skills
at the maritime training center
in Piney Point, Md. Treasurer
noted $1,662 in ship’s fund. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Suggestion made pertaining to
medical benefits. Next ports:
Newark, N.J. and Charleston,
S.C.

MAERSK MISSOURI (Maersk
Line, Limited), February 26 –
Chairman Oliver M. Balico,
Secretary Glenn C. Bamman,
Educational Director Jerome
Culbreth, Deck Delegate
Rolando Guity, Engine
Delegate Anatoli Vetsinov,
Steward Delegate Brian T.
McEleney. Chairman reported
a good trip with a great crew.
Seafarers were urged to attend
classes at the union-affiliated
school in Piney Point, Md. No
beefs or disputed OT reported.
Vote of thanks was given to the
steward department for a job
well done. Next ports: Newark,
N.J., Charleston, S.C. and
Norfolk, Va.

MAERSK VIRGINIA (Maersk
Line, Limited), February
19 – Chairman Mohamed S.
Ahmed, Secretary LaShawn L.
Rivera, Educational Director
Michael D. Murphy, Deck
Delegate Hanapiah Ismail.
Chairman announced payoff on
February 20 in Newark, N.J.

Crew members leaving ship
were reminded not to depart
until properly relieved. They
were also asked to leave rooms
clean for arriving mariners.
Secretary noted that parts
for broken garbage disposal
to be ordered. Motion was
made to add wiper to engine
department. Treasurer reported
$2,000 in ship’s fund. No beefs
or disputed OT reported. Crew
expressed gratitude for great
food by the steward department.
Next port: Newark, N.J.

RACER (Maersk Line, Limited),
February 3 – Chairman
Thomas P. Flanagan,
Secretary Glenn Williams,
Educational Director Paul M.
Titus, Deck Delegate John
Walsh, Engine Delegate Davon
A. Brown. Bosun reported a
safe and productive voyage.
He informed crew of upcoming
room inspections and warned
about cold weather in New
York. Secretary requested crew
separate plastic from trash.
Departing mariners were asked
to leave clean sets of linens for
arriving mariners. Educational
director reminded crew to get
their time in and take advantage
of upgrading at Piney Point.
Treasurer stated $1,500 in
ship’s fund. No beefs or
disputed OT reported. Seafarers
requested new dryer for laundry
room. Thanks were given to the
steward department for a job
well done.

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.

Digest of Shipboard
Union Meetings

Remembering Brother Joseph Gutierrez

In accordance with his
wishes, the ashes of the
late engine-department
Seafarer Joseph H. Guti-
errez – who passed away
late last year at age 82 –
were scattered at sea Jan.
23 from aboard the Seab-
ulk Trader, while the ves-
sel was sailing from Port
Everglades, Fla., to Lake
Charles, La. A few pho-
tos from the ceremony are
shown here. “On behalf of
the crew, it was an honor
and privilege for us to per-
form the burial-at-sea cer-
emony for Mr. Gutierrez,
carrying out his final wishes and serving as the final chapter in his life
story,” wrote vessel master Capt. Thomas M. Liebsch. “Our deepest sym-
pathies go out to his extended family, friends and former SIU shipmates.”
Brother Gutierrez started going to sea as a teenager during World War II,
and sailed for 66 years, including initial voyages with the SUP and later
the NMU and SIU. He last sailed in 2009 before retiring to Hollywood, Fla.

10950_LOG.indd 19 3/23/2012 10:23:06 AM



20 Seafarers LOG April 2012

Know Your Rights
FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Consti-

tution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and
Inland Waters District/NMU 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 sub-
mitted to the membership by the secretary-
treasurer. A yearly finance committee of
rank-and-file members, elected by the mem-
bership, each year examines the finances of
the union and reports fully their findings and
recommendations. Members of this commit-
tee may make dissenting reports, specific
recommendations and separate findings.

TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the
SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Wa-
ters District/NMU are administered in ac-
cordance with the provisions of various trust
fund agreements. All these agreements spec-
ify that the trustees in charge of these funds
shall equally consist of union and manage-
ment representatives and their alternates.
All expenditures and disbursements of trust
funds are made only upon approval by a ma-
jority of the trustees. All trust fund financial
records are available at the headquarters of
the various trust funds.

SHIPPING RIGHTS. A member’s ship-
ping rights and seniority are protected ex-
clusively 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 violations of their shipping or seniority
rights as contained in the contracts between
the union and the employers, they should no-
tify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified
mail, return receipt requested. The proper
address for this is:

Augustin Tellez, Chairman
Seafarers Appeals Board
5201 Auth Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746

Full copies of contracts as referred to are
available to members at all times, either by
writing directly to the union or to the Seafar-
ers Appeals Board.

CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU con-
tracts 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 obliga-
tions, such as filing for overtime (OT) 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 should contact the nearest SIU port
agent.

EDITORIAL POLICY — THE SEA-
FARERS LOG. The Seafarers LOG tradi-
tionally has refrained from publishing any
article serving the political purposes of any
individual in the union, officer or member.
It also has refrained from publishing articles
deemed harmful to the union or its collec-
tive membership. This established policy
has been reaffirmed by membership action
at the September 1960 meetings in all con-
stitutional ports. The responsibility for Sea-
farers LOG policy is vested in an editorial
board which consists of the executive board
of the union. The executive board may del-
egate, from among its ranks, one individual
to carry out this responsibility.

PAYMENT OF MONIES. No mon-
ies are to be paid to anyone in any official

capacity in the SIU unless an official union
receipt is given for same. Under no circum-
stances should any member pay any money
for any reason unless he is given such re-
ceipt. In the event anyone attempts to require
any such payment be made without supply-
ing 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.

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS. Copies of the SIU Con-
stitution are available in all union halls. All
members should obtain copies of this consti-
tution so as to familiarize themselves with
its contents. Any time a member feels any
other member or officer is attempting to de-
prive 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 im-
mediately 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 negoti-
ated with the employers. Conse quently, no
member may be discriminated against be-
cause of race, creed, color, sex, national or
geographic origin.

If any member feels that he or she is de-
nied the equal rights to which he or she is
entitled, the member should notify union
headquarters.

SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIV-
ITY DONATION (SPAD). SPAD is a
separate segregated fund. Its proceeds are
used to further its objects and purposes in-

cluding, but not limited to, furthering the
political, social and economic interests of
maritime workers, the preservation and fur-
thering of the American merchant marine
with improved employment opportunities
for seamen and boatmen and the advance-
ment of trade union concepts. In connection
with such objects, SPAD supports and con-
tributes to political candidates for elective
office. All contributions are voluntary. No
contribution may be solicited or received
because of force, job discrimination, finan-
cial 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 improper conduct,
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 re-
fund, if involuntary. A member should sup-
port SPAD to protect and further his or her
economic, political and social interests, and
American trade union concepts.

NOTIFYING THE UNION — If 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.

The SIU-affiliated Paul Hall
Center for Maritime Training
and Education, which includes
the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg
School of Seamanship, has pro-
vided instruction for mariners
since 1967. Located in Piney
Point, Md., the school blends
hands-on training with classroom
instruction both for entry-level
mariners and for experienced in-
dividuals returning for upgrading
classes. Since 1999, the school
also has featured the Joseph
Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety
School, a state-of-the-art facility
located on a nearby campus. A
handful of recent photos from
the school appear on this page.
Additional information about the
school, including a new applica-
tion for the unlicensed apprentice
program, is available in the Paul
Hall Center section of www.sea-
farers.org

Mariners Hone Skills in Piney Point

10950_LOG.indd 20 3/23/2012 10:23:10 AM



April 2012 Seafarers LOG 21

The following is the schedule of courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Train-
ing and Education in Piney Point, Md., for the next few months. All programs are
geared to improving the job skills of Seafarers and to promoting the American maritime
industry.

Please note that this schedule may change to reflect the needs of the membership,
the maritime industry and—in times of conflict—the nation’s security.

Students attending any of these classes 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. For classes ending on a Friday, departure reservations should be made for
Saturday.

Seafarers who have any questions regarding the upgrading courses offered at the
Paul Hall Center may call the admissions office at (301) 994-0010.

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Completion

Deck Department

Lifeboat April 28 May 11
May 26 June 8
June 23 July 6

Able Seaman May 12 June 8

Fast Rescue Boat May 5 May 11
June 23 June 29

Radar May 19 June 1

ARPA June 2 June 8

Radar Renewal June 25 June 25

Engine Department

BAPO May 26 June 22

FOWT April 28 May 25
June 23 July 20

Junior Engineer May 12 July 6

Marine Electrician May 5 June 29

Welding April 28 May 18
June 2 June 22

Safety Upgrading Courses

Advanced Firefighting May 5 May 11
June 2 June 8

Basic Firefighting/STCW April 7 April 13
May 12 May 18
` June 23 June 29

Medical Care Provider March 10 March 16
May 12 May 18
June 9 June 15

Government Vessels April 21 April 27
June 16 June 22

Title of Start Date of
Course Date Compeltion

Steward Department

Serve Safe April 14 April 20
July 7 July 13
September 29 October 5

Chief Steward April 14 May 25
July 7 August 17
October 13 November 23

Chief Cook
These modules start every other week. The next class begins April 6.

Galley Operations/Advanced Galley Operations
These modules start every Monday. The next class will begin April 2.

Paul Hall Center Upgrading Course Information

UPGRADING APPLICATION

Name ________________________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Telephone (Home)_________________________ (Cell)_________________________
Date of Birth __________________________________________________________________
Deep Sea Member o Lakes Member o Inland Waters Member o

If the following information is not filled out completely, your application will not be processed.
Social Security #_______________________ Book # _________________________________
Seniority_____________________________ Department_____________________________
Home Port____________________________________________________________________
E-mail_______________________________________________________________________
Endorsement(s) or License(s) now held_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Are you a graduate of the SHLSS/PHC trainee program? o Yes o No
If yes, class # __________________________________________________________________
Have you attended any SHLSS/PHC upgrading courses? o Yes o No
If yes, course(s) taken____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

With this application, COPIES of the following must be sent: One hundred and twenty-five (125)
days seatime for the previous year, one day in the last six months prior to the date your class
starts, USMMD (z-card) front and back or relevant pages of merchant mariner credential, front
page of your union book indicating your department and seniority, qualifying seatime for the
course if it is Coast Guard tested, 1995 STCW Certificate, valid SHBP Clinic Card and TWIC.

COURSE START DATE OF
DATE COMPLETION
____________________________ _______________ _______________________

____________________________ _______________ _______________________

____________________________ _______________ _______________________

____________________________ _______________ _______________________

____________________________ _______________ _______________________



LAST VESSEL: ___________________________________ Rating: ____________________

Date On: _______________________________ Date Off:____________________________

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. Not all classes are reimbursable.Return completed
application to: Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education Admissions Office, P.O.
Box 75, Piney Point, MD 20674-0075; or fax to (301) 994-2189.

The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime
Training and Education is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity institution and admits stu-
dents, who are otherwise qualified, of any race, nationality or sex. The school complies with
applicable laws with regard to admission, access or treatment of students in its programs or
activities. 4/12

The National Maritime Center
(NMC), the licensing authority for the
U.S. Coast Guard, offers a comprehen-
sive web site covering mariner creden-
tialing, medical guidelines and much
more. The site features a wide range of
applications and forms, deck- and en-
gine-department exam information, lists
of Coast Guard-approved courses and

more. Seafarers are encouraged to check
out the site at:http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/

Mariners may call the NMC at
1-888-IASKNMC (1-888-427-5662).
Operational hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
EST, Monday through Friday. (The
NMC is closed for all federal holidays.)
Various email forms also are available
through the NMC web site.

National Maritime Center Web Site
Provides Valuable Mariner ResourcesNOTICE:

Reminder for Paul Hall Center Students
Students who have

registered for classes
at the Paul Hall
Center for Mari-
time Training and
Education, but later
discover—for what-
ever reason—that
they cannot attend
should inform the
admissions depart-
ment immediately
so arrangements
can be made to have
other students take
their places.

10950_LOG_X.indd 21 3/26/2012 6:54:42 PM



22 Seafarers LOG April 2012

Paul Hall Center Classes

BST – The following Seafarers (photo at right, in alpha-
betical order) upgraded their skills and graduated from this
course Feb. 10: Ahmed Ali, Jamie Austria, Darrol Bates,
Susano Cortez, Edward Dandy, William Doud, Lydia Dye,
Henry Gamp, Paul Gohs, Santos Guity, Sean Hall, An-
drew Lukasiewicz, George McAnern, John McCarthy,
Sean McCarthy, Timothy McKenna, Fidel Pascua, James
Roy, Monassar Saleh, Gary Toomer and Kevin Williams.
Class Instructor Ethan Evans is at the far right.

ARPA – The following individuals (above, in alphabetical order)
completed the enhancement of their skills in this course Feb. 10.
Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Tyrone Hernandez,
Charles Hosea Jr., Amancio Mendez, Stephen Roell, Kevin Stehlik
and Richard Weaver. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

Government Vessels – Sixteen individuals graduated from this course March 2. Those graduating (above,
in alphabetical order) were: Harlan Alonzo, Joseph Arigo, Darrol Bates, Lawa Dowdell, Curtis Harris, Timothy
Heil, Leola Johnson, Ogden Lee, David McCarthon, Kevin Moore, James Oling, Fidel Pascua, Paul Pitcher,
Lamont Surrat, Gemini Tacang and James Watson. Tom Truitt, their instructor, is at the far right.

BAPO – Twenty-three students, including upgraders as well as unlicensed apprentices, completed their
training in this course March 2. Finishing their requirements and graduating (above, in alphabetical order)
were: John Albritton, Nabil Ali, Majed Alsharif, Lakisha Barnes, Major Brooks, Rodriques Carson,Dwight
Cherry, Matthes Curtis, Davis Freitas, Bobbie Gibbs, Evan Hansen, Lucion Liles, Mark Loughman, Do Q.
Luong, Trevor Manion, Tremain McCoy, Kyle Pardun, Davon Peterson, James Ross, Fadhel Saleh, Jerry
Semper Jr., Michael Souza and Florencio Tindugan. Class Instructor Tim Achorn is at the far right, in the
front row. (Note: Not all are pictured.)

Marine Electrician – Six individuals graduated from this course March 2.
Completing their requirements (above, in alphabetical order) were: Marion
Cruzat, Mohsen Hubair, Kenneth Sumner, Jervona Vorise, Kareim Wright
and Joshua Zelinsky. Jay Henderson, their instructor, is at the far left.

Survival Craft/Personal Survival Techniques – Seven upgraders completed their
requirements in this course March 2. Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were:
Leonard Anderson, Ronald Derouin, Michael Kolich, Christopher Mathers, Kenneth
Mathers, Robbi Purcell and Danny Stropich. Class Instructor Bernabe Pelingon is
seated in the vessel at the far left.

Unlicensed Apprentice Water Survival Class #756 – Twenty-one individuals (unlicensed
apprentices and upgraders) completed this course Feb. 17. Graduating (above, in alphabetical
order) were: Pedro Abuda, Rajeh Ahmed, Jose Alicea Sanchez, Nathaniel Balos, Eric Collins
Jr., Lawa Dowdell, Elliot Duncan, John Garrett, Dominique Greer, Jonathan Harrell, Mark
Maduro, Adele Messina, Paul Nelson, James O’Hara, Robert Resurreccion, Dennis Saggese,
Frank Sambula, Julius Sykes, Jessie Ticer, Samuel Tilles and Danylo Zayats. (Note: Not all
are pictured.)

10950_LOG_X.indd 22 3/26/2012 6:54:47 PM



April 2012 Seafarers LOG 23

Basic & Advanced Firefighting – Eight upgraders completed the enhance-
ment of their skills in this course Feb. 10. Those graduating (above, in al-
phabetical order) were: Ashley Carmichael, Larry Harewood, Phillip Harmon,
Jeffrey Idalski, Michael Lau, Walter Ritvalsky, Elmer Rochez and William
White. Class instructors Joe Zienda and Wayne Johnson are at the far left
and far right respectively.

Welding – Upgraders Felipe Jimenez (above, left)
and Kevin Carraby (above, right) augmented their
skills by completing this course Feb. 10. Course
Instructor Buzzy Andrews is in the center.

STOS – Sixteen individuals completed their requirements
in this course March 2. Those graduating (photo at left, in
alphabetical order) were: Patrick Bethel, Richard Brock-
way, John Cragin, Richard Cristiani, James Dillon, Steven
Gagnon, Kevin Gebhard, Carlo Gentile, Priscilla Greene,
Frank Jennings, Peter Mertz, Leo Onofrio, Sonny Perez,
Christopher Sanicola, Derrick Siefke and Robert Tomo.
Stan Beck, their instructor, is at the far left.

BST (Hawaii) – The following individuals (above, in no par-
ticular order) completed this course March 3 at the Sea-
farers Training Facility in Barbers Point, Hawaii: Jonathan
Harvey, Mark Perkins, Heather Bohn, James Harvey, Pat-
rick McCannon, Milena Mladenova, Jessica Platt, Thavy
Van, Samuel Burdick, Holly Canale, Jessica Chapman,
India Evans, Paul Guinan, Christopher Hogan, Koral King,
David Lewis, Mindy Livesey, Christopher Lyons, Shalena
Mumford and Ana Nunes.

Students who have registered
for classes at the Paul Hall Cen-
ter for Maritime Training and
Education, but later discover -
for whatever reason - that they
can’t attend, should inform the
admissions department imme-
diately so arrangements can be
made to have other students take
their places.

Important Notice

Paul Hall Center Classes

Machinist – Six Seafarers completed their requirements in this
course Feb. 10. Those graduating (above, in alphabetical order)
were: Michael Blue, Ruben Haynes, Travis Moody, Carmus Peet,
Lawrence Todd Jr., and Abner Torres. Their instructor, Steve Haver,
is at the far left.

Medical Care Provider – Six Seafarers completed this course Feb. 10. Graduating (above,
in alphabetical order) were: Wiliam Davis Jr., Roy Frett, Benjamin Hodge, Anthony Kimbrell,
Michael Presser and Victor Quioto. Class Instructor Mike Roberts is at the far left.

Medical Care Provider – The following Seafarers (above, in alphabetical order) enhanced
their skills by completing this course Feb. 17: Kevin Carraby, Ruben Haynes, Larry Hare-
wood, Lisa Harewood, Reginald Hunter Sr., Jeffrey Idalski, Michael Lau, Travis Moody,
Anthony Thomas and William White. Mark Cates, the class instructor, is at the far right.

Machinist – Six Seafarers finished this course March 2.
Graduating (above, in alphabetical order) were: Alex Am-
arra, Antoine Best, Mohammed Elazzouzi, Robert Orloff
III, Cornelius Smith and Steben Torres. Class Instructor,
Steve Haver, is in the center wearing white jacket.

Vessel Security Officer – Upgrader
Perry Cubeta (above, right) was the
lone graduate of this course which cul-
minated Feb. 9. At left is his instructor,
Brad Wheeler.

10950_LOG_X.indd 23 3/26/2012 6:54:53 PM



Save With
Union Plus

Page 8

April 2012 Volume 74, Number 4

SIU Snapshots from Hawaii
Here are some recent photos of Sea-

farers aboard ship, at the union hall and
demonstrating in support of fellow trade
unionists in Hawaii. Additional photos
from the Aloha State are posted on the gal-
lery section of seafarers.org.

Port Agent Hazel Galbiso presents AB Bill Cooley with his
full B-book.

Seafarers and members of other MTD-affiliated unions demonstrate in
support of the American Postal Workers Union.

Safety Director Warren Asp congratulates
ACU Jennifer Reid for receiving her full B-
book.

Chief Steward Karen Fensel
Manukai

AB Roger Tupas
Jean Anne

Chief Cook Romarico Hinayon
Maunawili

Chief Steward Colleen Mast
Matsonia

Chief Cook Efren Ancheta
Jean Anne

ABs Mohamed Mohamed and Ali Quarish
Jean Anne

ACU Nasser Hasson
Manulani

10950_LOG.indd 24 3/23/2012 10:23:33 AM