SIU Crews Step up During Exercise
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AUGUST 2021 VOLUME 83, NO. 8 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS, AFL CIO SIU Crews Step Up During Exercise Seafarers from the USNS Bob Hope (photo at left) and USNS Yuma (above) earlier this year did their parts to help ensure the success of Defender-Europe 21, a large-scale exercise involving numerous countries. The Bob Hope (operated by U.S. Marine Management) is pictured in late March in Jacksonville, Florida, in preparation for the exercise (U.S. Army photo by Kimberly Spinner). The Yuma, crewed by CIVMARS from the SIU Government Services Division, is shown in early May in Albania, during the deployment (photo courtesy U.S. Military Sealift Command). Page 7. More Contracts Ratified This has been an exceptionally active year for the union’s contracts department, and that pattern continued with the recent ratifications of three more collective bargaining agree- Great Grub on Maersk Michigan ments. New pacts are in place at Matson, Intrepid Personnel and Provisioning, and Argent Marine. Without exception, the new contracts boost wages and maintain or improve ben- AB Fernando Haber appears pleased with the July 4 offerings aboard the Maersk efits. Pictured above are Seafarers aboard the Matson ship Matsonia (from left): Steward/ Line, Limited, vessel. Additional photos of the crew and holiday spread are on Page Baker Raymond Lackland, Chief Cook Nadzeya Kuptsova and ACU J. Recaido. All voted 4 (and on the SIU Facebook page). in favor of the new Matson contract. Page 4. Pandemic Coverage SAB Action 484 Page 3 Page 6 68801_AUGUST_2021_LOG.indd 1 7/16/21 2:38 AM Shipbuilders Honor U.S. Legislators President’s Report Association Bestows ‘Maritime Leadership Awards’ to Industry Stalwarts Two legislators with long, steady histories of backing the Excellent Opportunities United States maritime industry Although the global COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, there’s were honored recently in the na- a lot of discussion about what various workplaces will look like tion’s capital. when it’s finally, fully behind us. Employers and employees alike The Shipbuilders Council of have seen the benefits of telework – and, if they’re being honest, America (SCA), the national as- they’ve seen the drawbacks, too. sociation representing the U.S. I’m sure there won’t be a one-size-fits-all shipbuilding, maintenance, and answer, simply because there are so many repair industry, on June 17 pre- variables. Some jobs flat-out require hands-on, sented U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby in-person work. Others could mostly be done (R-Alabama) and U.S. Rep. John without a traditional office, while many more Garamendi (D-California) with are somewhere in between. the SCA Maritime Leadership Since I got vaccinated, I’ve taken advan- Award. According to the asso- tage of several chances to informally chat with ciation, “The award is given an- workers from outside the maritime industry. nually to national leaders who U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby U.S. Rep. John Garamendi Those conversations help me get a real-world demonstrate exemplary dedica- (R-Alabama) (D-California) Michael Sacco feel for how our shipboard jobs compare to tion and support for the U.S. others that are out there. shipbuilding and repair industry.” While we’re always striving for improve- “The American maritime in- di’s award, Paxton said, “Rep. tion. In these roles, he advances ment, I believe – more strongly than ever – that we’ve got a lot to dustry is fortunate to have had Garamendi has been a strong his “Make it in America” agenda offer. With very few exceptions, our contracts steadily boost wages, champion of the Jones Act and to create new middle-class jobs and they always help ensure safe working conditions. Our benefits Sen. Shelby as a strong advocate in the U.S. Senate throughout U.S. shipbuilding throughout and rebuild infrastructure using are second-to-none. The Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, for in- his entire time in Congress. He American materials and workers. stance, processed nearly 11,000 claims for members and dependents his impressive career,” said SCA President Matthew Paxton. “With understands the breadth of the His role in developing legisla- in June alone, and those claims were worth millions of dollars. domestic maritime industry and tion for the annual National De- The Seafarers Pension Plan is in fantastic shape, and eligible this award, we recognize Sen. members can also take advantage of vacation benefits. Shelby and his significant contri- how the industry’s success is crit- fense Authorization Act (NDAA) Best of all in my view, Seafarers can upgrade at our affiliated butions and unwavering support ical to our economic and national helped reaffirm Congressional school in Piney Point, Maryland: the Paul Hall Center for Mari- for the industry, maritime work- security, which can most recently support for the Jones Act and re- time Training and Education. The school is an open gateway for ers, and the defense sector as he be seen in his efforts to ensure the sulted in significant funds being higher-paying jobs. We fought hard to make the school a reality, completes his final term.” domestic maritime industry has a put into the domestic maritime and I hope you share my pride in it. As the vice chairman of the leading role in the development industry. Upgrading takes sacrifice, but in the long run it pays off. And I don’t U.S. Senate Appropriations of offshore wind.” Garamendi has also been a think you can find a similar opportunity in other industries, no matter Committee, Shelby has been “I’m honored to receive champion of the defense indus- where you go. Take advantage of the opportunities to increase your instrumental in support for the 2021 Maritime Leadership try, as well as the country’s vet- knowledge and make more money. Brothers and sisters, that’s a win- naval shipbuilding as a critical Award,” Garamendi said. “Sup- erans and active duty members of ning formula, and it’s a big part of what the SIU and the school offer. component of the U.S. defense porting the U.S. maritime indus- the military, during his time serv- industrial base. He has also try is critically important for our ing as the Chairman of the Armed You Delivered been a strong advocate for the economy and national security. Services Subcommittee on Read- The pandemic in some ways may feel like one big blur, but I domestic maritime industry as That’s why I’ve spent my ten- iness, which oversees more than want to point out that Seafarers delivered throughout this ordeal – a whole, by voicing his support ure in Congress fighting to end one-third of the Department of and you continue getting the job done today. Going back to when Congressional neglect of our Defense’s authorization. this all started, we haven’t had a single ship lay up due to lack of for the positive impact of U.S. shipbuilding on jobs and the maritime industry by introduc- Both legislators were given manpower. On that note, I thank our rank-and-file membership, ing my ‘Energizing American the awards during the SCA an- our port agents, patrolmen and staff, and our area vice presidents economy throughout the coun- try. Shipbuilding Act,’ which would nual membership meeting. and assistant vice presidents. As always, it has taken a total team recapitalize America’s domestic SCA members “constitute effort to get the job done. And as always, you’ve come through. Shelby stated, “I am honored to receive this award on behalf shipbuilding and maritime in- the shipyard industrial base that Eye-Popping Numbers of the Shipbuilders Council of dustries by requiring increasing builds, repairs, maintains and If you’ve read these columns for any length of time, you know America. The security of the percentages of liquified natural modernizes U.S. Navy ships and I pick my spots when it comes to tossing out statistics. They can nation must be our top priority, gas (LNG) and crude oil exports craft, U.S. Coast Guard vessels be a little too convenient at times, and context is very important. and the maritime industry is a to be transported on U.S.-built of all sizes, as well as vessels for (You may have heard the very old saying that there are three kinds critical part of our national de- ships. As a senior member of the other U.S. government agencies. of lies: lies, darn lies, and statistics.) fense. Our shipbuilders provide House Committee on Transpor- In addition, SCA members build, Nevertheless, this data hits like a sledgehammer, and I don’t significant and essential support tation and Infrastructure, I will repair and service America’s fleet think it’s open to misinterpretation. A closely estimated 99.5 per- in the maintenance and modern- always fight to support our vital of commercial vessels,” the asso- cent of all COVID-19-related deaths in the United States occur ization of our naval forces, our maritime industry.” ciation noted. “The Council rep- among unvaccinated people, while 0.5 percent (half of one per- Coast Guard, and our commer- Garamendi has been a strong resents 40 companies that own cent) of COVID deaths occur among vaccinated people. cial industry – creating thou- proponent of the nation’s ship- and operate over 82 shipyards, As you let that sink in, consider it part of my monthly plea to sands of good-paying jobs and yard industrial base and American with facilities on all three U.S. anyone who’s able to take the vaccine but hasn’t yet done so.