DECEMBERFEBRUARY 2014 2014 VOLUME VOLUME 76 o 76NO. NO. 12 2 Season’s Greetings Operation United Assistance Beck Notice 2015 Union Meeting Dates Page 4 Page 6 Page 8 19997_DECEMBER2K14LOG_X.indd 1 11/21/2014 4:48:48 PM President’s Report We Are Up to the Challenges The year is winding down with plenty of challenges for our union and our industry, but in the big picture, I believe the SIU is in good shape. New tonnage is scheduled to continue entering the SIU-con- tracted fleet for the foreseeable future, which will more than offset the losses we face due to the latest news from Horizon Lines. Nothing both- ers me more than when we lose jobs, as is the case with Horizon. But, this is nothing our union hasn’t faced and overcome before. As the com- pany sells some of its ships and takes others out of service, we’ll continue working to maintain SIU President Michael Sacco intro- and add jobs elsewhere in the fleet. duces Steve Cotton at the awards This year’s AOTOS honorees are (from left) Fred Harris, Joe Cox In the wake of the mid-term elections, we ceremony. and Steve Cotton. Michael Sacco also will remain very busy on Capitol Hill in the weeks and months ahead. This is also nothing new – we’re always active in the nation’s capital, whether we’re educating new members of Congress about the U.S. United Seamen’s Service Salutes Merchant Marine or solidifying support from our friends. We’re ac- tive at the state and local levels, too, because that’s what it takes to keep Old Glory flying on the high seas, along the coasts and on our Mariners and Industry Leaders rivers. As mentioned in our coverage of the elections (and this is old SIU members were among the honorees at this (CSA); and Frederick J. Harris, president of Gen- news to our more seasoned members), the SIU doesn’t care about year’s Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) eral Dynamics NASSCO and Bath Iron Works. Lt. party affiliation. We’re proud to have friends on both sides of the event in New York City, hosted by the United Sea- Gen. Kenneth Wykle, USA (Ret.), president of the aisle, and we’re proud to work in an industry that is vital to all men’s Service (USS) on Nov. 7. Seafarers from the National Defense Transportation Association and Americans. Cape Ray received a “special recognition” award chairman of the USS AOTOS Committee, also I’ll admit it can sometimes become frustrating to fight the same for their role in successfully destroying more than garnered an award thanking him for his years of battles over Food for Peace, the Maritime Security Program, and 600 tons of chemical weapons from Syria, while dedicated service promoting the American mari- other laws that keep our industry afloat. That’s only because it’s ob- mariners from the USNS Richard E. Byrd and Ma- time industry. vious to us that the U.S. Merchant Marine is nothing short of critical nukai were saluted for rescues at sea. The Cape Ray, operated by SIU-contracted Key- for America’s national and economic security. We have to remind The AOTOS awards were presented to Ste- stone, spent months overseas for its high-profile lawmakers that the MSP is a huge bargain for the government, while phen Cotton, general secretary of the International mission that wrapped up in August. The crew and laws like the Jones Act help sustain good jobs, boost our national Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), who was in- other shipboard personnel received accolades from defense capabilities and aid our economy. troduced to the audience of several hundred by SIU the White House, the Department of Defense, and We’ll keep delivering those messages and gathering support President Michael Sacco; Joseph J. Cox, president throughout the New Year. and CEO of the Chamber of Shipping of America Meanwhile, I know our members will continue doing exactly Continued on Page 4 what you’ve always done: answering the call and delivering the goods, no matter the mission. The latest example is Operation United Assistance, in which the Seafarers-crewed Cape Wrath and Mid-Term Elections Tough for Maritime Labor Cape Rise are sailing. I’m glad the hysteria about Ebola seems to have subsided in the U.S., but the mission overseas of course re- Union, Industry Mapping Plans to Promote U.S.-Flag Fleet in New Congress mains vitally important. I salute our members for answering the bell, and I know you’ll do a great job. Democrats during the Nov. 4 mid-term elections made clear that they want an economy that works My message this month wouldn’t be complete without men- suffered historic defeats—losing control of the U.S. for everyone. tioning the big news from our affiliated school in Piney Point, Senate, relinquishing more seats in the U.S. House “The defining narrative of this election was con- Maryland. As reported in this issue, very soon, Seafarers will have of Representatives and experiencing setbacks in firmation, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Ameri- chances to take advantage of new, state-of-the-art equipment at the key governors’ races across the country. cans are desperate for a new economic life,” said Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. The school While the SIU has always had friends on both Trumka. “But the fact of the matter is that people is undergoing a multi-million-dollar upgrade, complete with new sides of the aisle, the losses were significant for are disillusioned by endless political bickering and simulators, bigger classrooms, better accommodations and other the union and for American maritime labor as a eyed these elections with great dispirit. improvements. There is no hype here – it’s a big deal for everyone whole, according to SIU Legislative Director Brian “In way too many elections, they got a false involved, including not only the students but also the instructors and Schoeneman – though not because of party affili- choice. In these very difficult times, they did not staff members and vessel operators who should benefit from the en- ations. get a genuine economic alternative to their unhap- hanced training environment. “The 2014 mid-term elections were very diffi- piness and very real fear of the future,” Trumka This news alone should tell everyone how confident I am that the cult for maritime labor,” he said. “We lost a number added. “But when voters did have a chance to SIU and the U.S. Merchant Marine have a strong, bright future of of long-term friends in both the House and Senate, choose their future directly – through ballot mea- service to our country. including such stalwarts as U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall sures – their decisions are unmistakable” Last but not least, I wish everyone in our SIU family a safe, (D-WV) and Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AK). Federation sources say an election-night survey happy and healthy holiday season. Whether you’re at sea or ashore, “At the same time, many of our closest friends, conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates I wish you all the best and I look forward to working together in the like maritime caucus co-chair U.S. Rep. Mike found that while Republicans won many races on New Year. Grimm (R-NY) overcame difficult odds to prevail,” political grounds, voters heavily support working Schoeneman continued. “With Republican control family issues. Voters favor increasing Social Secu- FEBRUARY 2014 VOLUME 76 o NO. 2 of the Senate, getting legislation passed should be rity benefits by 61 percent-30 percent; raising the easier with a unified Congress, but that also means federal minimum wage by 62 percent-34 percent; we must be even more vigilant because the pace of taxing American corporations on profits they make legislation will move faster and we’ll have less time overseas by 73 percent-21 percent; and increasing to educate members of the House and Senate before funding for public schools by 75 percent-21 per- Volume 76 Number 12 December 2014 legislation comes up for a vote.” cent. Additionally, voters opposed many traditional Even with this shakeup in the legislative land- conservative issues such as raising the Social Se- The SIU online: www.seafarers.org scape, Schoeneman remains optimistic about mari- curity retirement age (27 percent-66 percent) and time labor’s immediate and long-term future. He raising the Medicare eligibility age (18 percent-76 The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published monthly by the said that going forward, union officials and mari- percent). Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, time industry allies will once again step up to the Voters sounded the loudest economic message AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899-0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998. plate, establish and maintain rapport with lawmak- in Alaska, Arkansas, Illinois, Nebraska and South POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth ers, and solicit their backing of initiatives and pro- Dakota, where minimum wage increases were Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. grams that protect national and economic security overwhelmingly approved. San Francisco and Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; while promoting American maritime jobs. Oakland also will likely raise the minimum wage, Managing Editor/Production, Jim Guthrie; Assistant “Any new Congress gives us an opportunity to and all four ballot initiatives supporting paid sick Editor, Nick Merrill; Photographer, Harry Gieske; make new friends, educate our representatives on days passed.