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Turnover to MM&P-Patriot of Watson-Class Lmsrs Begins Vol. 50, No. 2 March - April 2014 The International Marine Division of ILA/AFL-CIO Official Voice of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots Turnover to MM&P-Patriot of Watson-Class LMSRs Begins Travels on the Alaska Marine Highway System New Washington State Ferry Christened U.S.-Flag Fleet Rejects Administration Proposal to Cut Food Aid Table of Contents The Master, Mate & Pilot (ISSN 0025-5033) Vol. 50, No. 2 March - April 2014 is the official voice of the International Organization Letter From the President 1 of Masters, New jobs, new organizing campaigns and stronger ties with partner unions: Mates & Pilots (International Marine Division building on MM&P’s strengths to position our union for the future. of the ILA), AFL-CIO. © 2014 IOMMP. Published bimonthly at News Briefs 3 MM&P Headquarters, 700 Maritime Blvd., Suite B, MM&P-contracted Patriot assumes management of Watson-class LMSRs; join Linthicum Heights, MD us at the 85th MM&P Convention July 15-16; new Washington State Ferry 21090-1953. christened; MM&P members and friends at retirement party for Captain Phone: (410) 850-8700 E-mail: [email protected] Charles Malue; AMHS deck officer charts Southeastern Alaska vistas; Internet: www.bridgedeck.org USS Ponce is platform for Navy’s first laser weapon; new edition of MM&P Periodicals postage paid quarterly video magazine now online; MM&P General Executive Board at Elkridge, MD, and expands scope of members’ welfare fund. additional offices. POSTMASTER Regulatory Update 12 Please send changes to: The Master, Mate & Pilot Important facts about new Coast Guard STCW95 medical certificates. 700 Maritime Blvd, Suite B Linthicum Heights, MD 21090-1953 MM&P Health & Benefit Plans 13 Don Marcus Chairman, Editorial Board Earnings limitations for pensioners; planning for retirement; annual IRS Lisa Rosenthal limitations. Communications Director INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS Don Marcus, President News From MITAGS 20 Steven Werse, Secretary-Treasurer Hong Cheong retires after 25 years as a key figure in the MITAGS VICE PRESIDENTS Engineering Department. David H. Boatner, Offshore Pacific Wayne Farthing, Offshore Gulf Don Josberger, Offshore Atlantic MM&P Pensioners 21 C. Michael Murray, United Inland George A. Quick, Pilots Randall H. Rockwood, FEMG MM&P Directory 24 Cross’d the Final Bar 28 Thank You PCF Contributors! 30 Printed on recycled paper using vegetable-based inks and 100% wind power. Vol. 50, No. 2 March - April 2014 The International Marine Division of ILA/AFL-CIO Connect with Us! About the Cover Alaska Marine Highway System MM&P is on Facebook, Facebook.com/IOMMP Official Voice of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (AMHS) ferry LeConte inbound in Twitter and YouTube. Like @MMP_Union Tenakee Inlet, heading for Tenakee us. Follow us. Re-post and Springs, Alaska, in a photo by re-tweet. Every time you do, MastersMatesPilots AMHS Licensed Deck Officer Nic you help MM&P build an Turnover to MM&P-Patriot of Watson-Class LMSRs Begins Adamson. About 100 MM&P mem- essential online community of members and allies. Connect with Travels on the Alaska Marine Highway System New Washington State Ferry Christened bers work for the Alaska Marine us today. And if you have news or photos you want to share with U.S.-Flag Fleet Rejects Administration Proposal to Cut Food Aid More MM&P Holiday Party Photos Highway System. everyone, send us an e-mail at: [email protected]. FROM THE PR ESIDENT Bridges Toward the Future Union Brothers and Sisters, Already we are well into 2014. We should reflect on the success that came our way in 2013. While the flagging-out of APL’s four venerable and user-friendly C-10 container vessels caused dislocation for numerous members, we should be grateful for the following achievements which evidence the resilience and capabilities of our Union. Crewing the Watson Class LMSRs After years of bidding for this eight-ship Military Sealift New Jobs in the Inland, Federal and Command contract and months of enduring the obligatory Offshore Membership Groups protest by the incumbent contractor, MM&P, our employer New jobs in the Inland sector in New York Harbor and San Patriot Contract Services and the other Unions who are Francisco Bay have been organized. In the Federal sector, pain- partnered with Patriot have the satisfaction of new job staking and diligent effort has resulted in new bargaining units opportunities aboard these vessels. Each ship, which has a representing Medical Services Officers within Military Sealift complement of five licensed deck officers, is being crewed by Command and CNIC Tug Captains within the Department of MM&P officers as this issue goes to press. The award of this the Navy, as well as other units. MM&P is also in the process of contract to Patriot is a testament to our ability to compete and negotiating a first contract with Weeks Marine, a dredging vessel prevail. owner. Dodging Capitol Hill Bullets Building Solidarity in Maritime Labor We have withstood attacks aimed at our industry by the It is our conviction that building solidarity within labor is critical combined circumstances of a federal administration that appears to our continued existence. Towards this end, we have continued intent on obliterating the PL 480 “Food for Peace” program in the efforts of the Maritime Labor Alliance, which is dedicated favor of cash handouts to third parties as well as the stalemate to mutual support of like-minded organizations that are in Congress that threatened the full funding of the sixty-ship committed to preserving and enhancing the working conditions Maritime Security Program. Thankfully those who recognize the of their constituent members and who respect the jurisdictional necessity of our industry, on both sides of the aisle in Congress, boundaries of their crafts. While it is obvious that there should in the Department of Defense and, however haphazardly, within be one maritime Union with separate divisions protecting the the Department of Transportation and MARAD, prevented a interests of seafarers and longshoremen alike, until such time as potential Armageddon at the outset of this year. Needless to say, all maritime labor can embrace a collective vision of service to the battle continues, both with the “Food for Peace” program and their membership, a defensive alliance is essential to fight off the with the rising tide of anti-Jones Act “Free Trade” con artists who destructive “race to the bottom.” are redoubling their efforts to influence public opinion. Along the same lines, on the international level, we have been working closely with Nautilus International, the multinational Securing Our Offshore Collective officers Union composed of UK, Dutch and Swiss officers, to Bargaining Agreements build fraternal bonds that will, if successful, enable us to be more effective in protecting the interests of our profession in the We have safeguarded our jobs for the next ten years and international regulatory arena. Increased global cooperation, part established an Adjustable Pension Plan that will provide and parcel of our efforts through the International Transport retirement security for our members by offering a baseline Workers Federation, is essential if we are to remain viable in this defined benefit. At the same time, it is an affordable plan that era of secret “free trade” agreements that never fail to undermine divides a reasonable burden of risk between our employers the work of national labor Unions. and plan participants. This is a milestone for MM&P that is With these and other initiatives in mind, MM&P conducted already paying dividends to our membership by facilitating new a leadership retreat in February of this year to prioritize our employment opportunities. continued on page 2 The Master, Mate & Pilot - 1 - March - April 2014 Did You Have Active Duty Service Between January 1957 and Dec. 31, 2001? If you served on active duty any time between January 1957 and Dec. 31, 2001, under some circumstances, extra earnings may be cred- ited to your record for Social Security purposes. Extra earnings credits are granted for periods of active duty or active duty for training. Active duty military service means that you served on Active Duty, Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) or were in the Reserves for the Air Force, the Army, the Coast Guard, the Coast & Geodetic Survey (CGS), the Marines, the National Guard or the Navy. After 2001, there are no extra earnings credits for military service because in January 2002, the Defense Appropriations Act ended special earnings credits for military service personnel. If you are eligible, the credits may increase the amount of your benefit or help you qualify for Social Security. Up to $1,200 in extra benefits annually can be credited. To receive the benefit, when you apply for Social Security you must bring your DD 214 form to the Social Security Office and specifically request credit for your service time. To find out more, go to ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm. To request your DD 214, go to archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records. Thank you to James Bolles, Operations Chief, USNS Amelia Earhart and to MM&P Government Fleet Representative Randi Ciszewski for spreading the word about this benefit. Please share this information with friends and coworkers who also might be eligible. From the President continued from page 1 efforts for the future. The retreat, which was attended by the torch from one generation to another in the true and enduring leadership of all our membership groups as well as of our tradition of Masters, Mates & Pilots. training schools and our Washington legislative office, gave us We look forward to discussing the results of our retreat and the opportunity to freely exchange our views with guidance from many more issues at our upcoming Convention.
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