Organized 1885

Official Organ of the Sailors' Union of the Pacific

Volume LXXI No. 10 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA Friday, October 24, 2008 Economic stimulus needed now Protect & Defend Our Work! as job loss continues to grow ome 159,000 jobs were lost in September, the larg- est monthly drop in five years and the ninth straight Vote Obama for President S [Editor’s Note: On October 16, the presidents of the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific, Ameri- month—in all of 2008—the U.S. economy lost jobs. The total job loss since January is 760,000 according to can Maritime Officers, Master, Mates & Pilots, Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, the Department of Labor. Marine Firemen’s Union, and the Seafarers International Union-AGLIWD/NMU, issued The Labor Department report released on October 3, the following open letter to all American mariners.] also shows the unemployment rate remained at 6.1 per- Dear Brothers and Sisters: cent, largely due to the large number of jobless workers s Presidents of who no longer are counted because they have given up A America’s seafar- looking for work. In addition to the 9.5 million workers ing Unions we may who meet the Labor Department’s official definition of not always agree on every- “unemployed,” another 6.1 million are working part-time thing but on this –the impor- because they can’t find full-time work, and half a million tance of electing Senator have given up looking for a job. Barack Obama to the office Economist Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for of President of the United Economic Policy Research, says the unemployment rate States– we stand as one. likely will exceed seven percent by early 2009 and notes We are, without exception, the jobs report “should remove any lingering doubts that united in our conviction that the economy is in recession.” the future growth and viabil- AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said the jobs’ num- ity of the U.S.-flag fleet and bers “should set off alarm bells at every level” and indi- the jobs of American mari- cate the need to “pass an economic stimulus and real re- time workers in all seg- Senator Barack Obama form for working people along with any bailout bill. Like ments of our industry de- financial institutions, the middle class is collapsing. Across pend heavily and directly on us to make sure the Maritime the country, more and more workers are facing long-term the election of Senator into looking at things that Security Program is funded unemployment with little hope for finding any job, let alone Barack Obama. are not important and rel- each year. We need a Presi- one that pays the bills.” We ask that you and your evant. When all is said and dent like Barack Obama who done, this election is about Senator Barack Obama, Democratic candidate for presi- family think very carefully agrees that U.S.-flag vessels your job, your future and dent, strongly supports an economic recovery package. about how the outcome of and U.S. crews will be avail- your families’ future. We Following the jobs report, Obama said: “Instead of Sena- this election will affect your able to support our troops ask that you do what we will tor McCain’s plan to give tax breaks to CEOs and compa- job and the jobs of all Ameri- can maritime workers. and to support our country’s be doing on Election Day: nies that ship jobs overseas, I will rebuild the middle-class economy and security, rather and create millions of new jobs by investing in infrastruc- Think about whether you VOTE YOUR JOB! want a President like Barack than a President like John ture and renewable energy that will reduce our dependence McCain who tried to change Obama who will work with In Unity, on oil from the Middle East. I also call on Congress to and weaken this program. us to keep the Jones Act Thomas Bethel, President, pass an immediate rescue Think about whether you strong and excluded from in- American Maritime Officers plan for our middle-class ternational trade negotia- want a President like Barack Timothy Brown, Presi- that will provide tax relief, tions. We need a President Obama who supports our dent, International Organi- save one million jobs, and like Barack Obama who cargo preference laws. We zation of Masters, Mates & save our local communities agrees that only U.S.-flag need a President like Barack

Periodicals’ postage paid at San Francisco, CA (USPS 675-180) (USPS CA Francisco, San at paid postage Periodicals’ Pilots from harmful budget cuts vessels built in American Obama who agrees that and painful tax increases.” shipyards and crewed by American vessels should Donald Keefe, President, Senator John McCain op- American mariners will carry U.S. government car- Marine Engineers’ Benefi- poses a stimulus package for carry commerce along our goes, rather than a President cial Association working families and did not coasts and on our rivers and like John McCain who has Gunnar Lundeberg, Presi- take part in the Senate vote Great Lakes, rather than a consistently voted against dent, Sailors’ Union of the on the first stimulus bill last President like John McCain cargo preference so that for- Pacific spring. who wants to repeal the eign vessels with foreign Anthony Poplawski, Presi- As bad as the new jobs Jones Act, a move that crews would carry U.S. tax- dent, Marine Firemen’s data are, the underlying pic- would give our jobs away. payer-funded commodities. Union ture is even bleaker because Think about whether you There is too much at stake Michael Sacco, President, the number of long-term un- want a President like Barack in this election for any of us Seafarers International employed workers (those Obama who will work with to be misled and sidetracked Union

continued on page 3 VOTE NOVEMBER 4! ESU News: Pages 6 & 7 Labor Endorsements: Pages 10-12 Page 2 WEST COAST SAILORS Friday, October 24, 2008 Jeremiah O’Brien’s Tom Patterson dies SUP Honor Roll Retired Rear Admiral Thomas Patterson, who was key to saving the Liberty Ship Jeremiah O’Brien, died on October 1. Voluntary contributions from the membership to the following funds: Patterson was born in Philadelphia in 1924 and attended the U.S. Merchant Ma- rine Academy, graduating in 1944. During the war he sailed as a mate on tankers Organization/ West Coast and then as skipper of the U.S. Navy’s Guardian, a Liberty Ship that had been converted to a radar picket vessel in the Atlantic. General Fund Sailors After the Navy, Patterson worked for the Maritime Administration, eventually becoming Western Regional Director in San Francisco. One of his jobs was to Knud Andersen...... 100.00 Archie Aki ...... 25.00 select Libertys for scrapping. In 1966, with the Liberty Ships fast disappearing, Danny Colton ...... 10.00 Mike Arceo ...... 10.00 Patterson lobbied Washington to save one of the vessels—the s/s Jeremiah O’Brien, Mark Hurley ...... 50.00 Douglas Crute ...... 25.00 built in 1943. Gunnar Lundeberg ...... 50.00 Thor Eriksen ...... 10.00 After 30 years anchored in the “mothball” fleet at Suisun Bay and after hundreds Douglas Taylor ...... 100.00 Manoru Fukano ...... 25.00 of hours of volunteer labor by SUP members and those from other maritime Unions directed by Admiral Patterson, the O’Brien sailed under her own power to Bethlehem Joe Gladstone ...... 25.00 Shipyard in San Francisco on October 6, 1979. After extensive work she sailed Rex Harper ...... 25.00 from the yard on May 21, 1980 to make her first Maritime Day memorial cruise. James Hearn ...... 25.00 In 1994, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the allied invasion of Europe, Political Fund Romero Jalomo ...... 10.00 Patterson sailed her to Britain, France and back. SUP member Rich Reed was Brandon Keopukiwi ...... 20.00 Bosun on that trip along with other SUP volunteers. The O’Brien returned to a Knud Andersen...... 76.28 Ronald Pittman ...... 25.00 rousing welcome to San Francisco in September of that year, and has sailed on San Danny Colton ...... 20.00 Mariam Rillo ...... 25.00 Francisco Bay and makes occasional Pacific coastal voyages every year since and is Nick Cooper ...... 30.00 still maintained on deck by several SUP volunteers. John Drolla ...... 40.00 The Jeremiah O’Brien, berthed at Pier 45 in San Francisco is a living memorial to Mike ElMobdy Jr...... 20.00 Dues-Paying all those who served in the merchant marine in World War II and a testament to the Tom Fate ...... 30.00 tenacity of Tom Patterson who saved her and gave her new life. Joseph Ginez ...... 10.00 Pensioners Robert Greene ...... 60.00 Robert Copeland Book #4763 Final Departures Dustin Grobschmit ...... 20.00 Romaine Dudley Book #2593 James Hall ...... 20.00 Duane Hewitt Book #5748 George Tieking, Book No. 2008. Born Chuck Lum, Book No. 3366. Born in Rex Harper ...... 40.00 Knud Jensen Book #3940 in Michigan in 1921. Joined SUP in Hawai’i in 1920. Joined SUP in 1940. Noel Itsumaru ...... 50.00 John Jewett Book #4291 1944. Died in Raymond, Washington, Died in Honolulu, Hawai’i, September JanPeter Johnsson ...... 30.00 Tony Jones Book #4305 September 3, 2008. (Pensioner) 21, 2008. (Pensioner) Brandon Keopukiwi ...... 20.00 Kaj E. Kristensen Book #3120 Gino Segreti, Book No. 7494. Born Nis Madsen, Book No. 5139. Born in in Michigan in 1953. Joined SUP in Denmark in 1922. Joined SUP in 1943. Jereld Komoto ...... 50.00 Eli Lalich Book #4062 Gunnar Lundeberg ...... 50.00 1983. Died in California, August 16, Died in Stoneybrook, New York, Sep- Stanley Lane Book #4106 2008. tember 25, 2008. (Pensioner) Raoul Macalinao ...... 20.00 James K. Larsen Book #4055 Nicholas Solonski, Book No. 7209. Raymond Erspamer, Book No. 1870. Ian McLeod ...... 20.00 John McKeon Book #6456 Born in North Dakota in 1923. Joined Born in Minnesota in 1925. Joined SUP Vince O’Halloran ...... 100.00 Keith Miller Book #6497 SUP in 1949. Died in Cameron Park, in 1960. Died in Daly City, California, Terry O’Neill ...... 50.00 Joseph Napier Book #2299 California, September 4, 2008. (Pen- September 15, 2008. (Pensioner) John Perez ...... 50.00 John Pedersen Book #3834 sioner) Nils Austrheim, Book No. 3748. Born Mariam Rillo ...... 25.00 John Perez Book #3810 John Geppart, Book No. 2970. Born in Norway in 1917. Joined SUP in 1952. Gabriel Sipin ...... 20.00 Alex Romo Book #3193 in Poland in 1924. Joined SUP in 1951. Died in Massachusetts, October 8, 2008. Philip Spinaio ...... 50.00 Cliff Rouleau Book #3144 Died in Las Vegas, Nevada, Septem- (Pensioner) ber 9, 2008. (Pensioner) Robert Taylor...... 60.00 Ralph Senter Book #7323 Stephen Foster, Book No. 2236. Born Richard Sexton Book #6986 in England in 1936. Joined SUP in 1967. Died in Seattle, Washington, Septem- ber 12, 2008. (Pensioner)

West Coast longshoremen ratify SUP Meetings new six-year pact with PMA These are the dates for the regularly scheduled SUP meetings in 2008: Members of the Longshore Division of the International Longshore & Ware- Hdqs. Branch house Union (ILWU) overwhelming ratified this month a new six year collective November 10 17 bargaining agreement with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). December 8 15

Published monthly by the Sailors Union of the Pacific (an affiliate of the Seafarers Interna- tional Union of North America, AFL-CIO), Headquarters, 450 Harrison St., San Fran- cisco, CA 94105. Phone: 415-777-3400. FAX: 415-777-5088. Dispatcher: 415-777- 3616. Website: www.sailors.org. Periodi- cals’ postage paid at San Francisco. (USPS 675-180). Printed by Howard Quinn Co., a Union shop. Gunnar Lundeberg, President/Secretary-Treasurer Teresa Anibale, Editor

BRANCH OFFICES Seattle, WA 98106 2414 SW Andover St. (206) 467-7944 Bldg. F, Ste. 105 FAX: (206) 467-8119 Wilmington, CA 90744 533 N. Marine Ave. (310) 835-6617 FAX: (310) 835-9367 Honolulu, HI 96813 707 Alakea St. (808) 533-2777 FAX: (808) 531-3058

WELFARE OFFICE (415) 778-5490 PENSION PLAN OFFICE (415) 764-4987 Friday, October 24, 2008 WEST COAST SAILORS Page 3 Neptune Orient Lines drops Mahimahi deck crew plan to buy Hapag-Lloyd Line

Singapore-based Neptune Orient Line, Industry sources report that NOL had the parent company of APL, has with- been under pressure from analysts and drawn its bid to buy Germany’s Hapag- investors fearing that the company might Lloyd Line. overpay for Hapag-Lloyd while market NOL chief executive Ron Widdows conditions for the industry are deterio- said, “We weren’t prepared to make an rating. acquisition at any cost and we certainly Widdows said that NOL “has a sound weren’t willing to put our company at growth strategy,” but he added that the risk—so we are very comfortable with company will not be aggressively seek- our decision to end our participating in ing opportunities under current market the bidding process.” conditions. Somali piracy continues unabated Somali pirates captured the Belize-flag, Ukrainian-owned, roll-on/roll-off vessel Faina on September 26. The vessel, enroute to Mombasa, Kenya, is loaded with 30 Soviet-era T-72 tanks, ammunition and spare parts for armored vehicles. As the West Coast Sailors goes to press, the Faina is being observed by the United States Aloha from Honolulu from the Mahimahi deck gang: From left: Emo Aulelava, and other naval warships with the pirates still in control of the vessel. from Paint and Rigging; Bosun Mark Hurley; Acting Honolulu Branch Agent Patrick The Malaysia-flag vessel Bunga Melati Lima and her 39-man crew were captured Weisbarth; Delegate Manny Roxas, ABs Bong Gador, Tim Thomas, Ernesto by Somali pirates on August 31. After a ransom of $2 million was reportedly paid, Lecarnaque and Mike Arceo. Photo Neil McManus the vessel was released on September 28. On October 8, Somali pirates freed the Japanese chemical tanker Irene and her crew of 25 after a $1.6 million ransom was paid. The ship was captured on Au- Asia-U.S. box traffic predicted to drop gust 21. Container traffic on the eastbound vice with ships running at less than full The Japanese-owned bulk carrier African Sandering and her crew of 21 were Asia-US route could fall as much as 8% utilization, given current costs,” says seized by Somali pirates on October 15. this year, warns the TransPacific Stabi- Widdows. The Thai-owned vessel Thor Star and her crew were released by Somali pirates lization Agreement (TSA). The association implies that there will on October 16 after an unknown ransom was paid. The vessel was hijacked Au- In a gloomy analysis of the business be no reduction in bunker surcharges gust 11, off the coast of Yemen. outlook, the association says a rebound until previous uncollected fees have been The Korea-flag cargoship Bright Rudy and her crew of 22 were released by So- will only take hold in the second half of paid and road carriers continue to im- 2009, and that margins are so bad that pose surcharges. Over the last 20 months, mali pirates on October 16, after being captured on September 10, after an un- none of the 15 members is making a TSA estimates that member lines lost known ransom was paid. profit on the route. Ron Widdows, the another $680 million in under-collected International Transport Workers’ Federation & chairman of the association and also CEO inland fuel costs. of APL, says: “Clearly we’re in a slow- TSA executive administrator Brian shipowners slam inadequate anti-piracy measures down right now, but just as clearly, the Conrad says that lines are expecting in- current freezing up of the global credit The International Transport Workers’ employing private security should not be creases in non-fuel operating costs in system is unsustainable.” However, ves- Federation (ITF) and shipowners’ orga- seen by shipowners as a quick fix to the 2009-2010, driven primarily by higher sel utilization has averaged 90% because nizations have condemned as “inad- piracy epidemic off Somalia. They also rail intermodal charges, local and inland of measures such as cutbacks in services, equipment repositioning costs, equip- equate” the response of governments and predicted that the attacks would continue returns of charter ships, laying up ves- ment maintenance and repair expense, naval forces to the Somali pirate attacks. until naval ships tasked with a specific sels and alliances between lines. rates charged by Asian feeder services, Reacting to comments by senior officers anti-piracy mission were deployed to the “Rates have not kept pace with oper- and labor costs in the United States. of naval forces in the area that the indus- region. ating cost increases, and separate charges “They remain constant, whether the try should take more responsibility for Captain Mike Booth of Exclusive to address fuel and other costs have been market is slow or booming, and carriers its own defense, the Baltic and Interna- Analysis said piracy in the Gulf of Aden routinely under collected in a highly com- have resolved to reestablish the link be- tional Maritime Council (BIMCO), the would “remain a long-term problem un- petitive environment. No container line tween operating costs and the rate struc- International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), til another group of naval vessels is dis- is in a position to run a scheduled ser- ture,” he says. the International Shipping Federation patched”. The U.S. 5th Fleet and the (ISF), Intercargo and Intertanko, in con- Coalition Task Force 150 saw the spate cert with the ITF, expressed their dis- of piracy attacks as a relative problem in Social Security benefits to may and amazement at the situation. the light of their wider mission to the They suggested that if aircraft were be- Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, ing hijacked on a daily basis, as are ships, he said. Booth told a shipowners semi- increase 5.8% in 2009 the reaction of governments would be nar in London that the temptation to Social Security benefits will go up 5.8% effective January 1, 2009, the largest very different. employ private security onboard ship increase in more than a quarter century. The shipping organizations point out should probably be resisted. “The prob- The increase will mean an addition $63 per month for the average Social Security that the maritime industry has spent bil- lems include, how you get the security recipient, whose monthly check will grow to $1,153 from $1,090. lions of dollars to comply with security on and off the ship in that part of the The increase is the largest since a 7.4% jump in 1982 and is more than double the requirements after 9/11, but when ship- world, and what the rules of engagement 2.3% increase in January of this year. ping is attacked by violent pirates, the are. “What do you do if your onboard response by many governments is that it security shoots dead three innocent fish- is not their problem. ermen, thinking they are pirates?” Economic stimulus needed now continued from page 1 The fear is that if the attacks continue, The only long-term answer lie in ship- jobless for more than six months) grew to two million in September, an in- and governments remain unwilling to act, owners lobbying their governments to crease of 728,000 over the past 12 months. A recent Economic Policy Institute there will be a redirection of much trade send military muscle with a specific anti- (EPI) report showed that in July there were an average of 2.6 job seekers for to alternative, safer routes, such as the piracy mission, he said. “Shipowners every available job—an increase of more than 60 percent from just a year and Cape of Good Hope. A repeat of the have to work through the Joint Cargo a half ago, when there were just 1.6 job seekers for every job opening. The 1970s, when the Suez Canal was closed, Committee, through the War Risks Com- unemployment rate for adult men grew by half a percentage point (to 6.1 “must be prevented at all costs”. Mean- mittee, to lobby at the highest levels, percent) and for African Americans, it increased by eight-tenths of a percent- while, risk analysts have warned that through their governments in the UN.” age point (to 11.4 percent) in September. The greatest September job losses occurred in manufacturing (51,000 jobs, bringing the total for the past 12 months to 442,000), construction (35,000 jobs, and more than 600,000 lost in “It’s time you had a president who honors or- the past two years) and retail (82,000 jobs). ganized labor, who has walked on picket lines, The worsening U.S. trade deficit is one key factor behind the job loss. In who doesn’t choke on the word ‘Union,’ who 2007, 5.6 million jobs were lost or displaced by the U.S. non-oil trade deficit, lets our Unions do what they do best and orga- according to data released yesterday by the EPI. Despite strong export growth over the past few years, the U.S. trade deficit still totaled $700 billion in 2007, nize our workers, and who will finally make nearly double what it was when George W. Bush took office. More than 4 the Employee Free Choice Act the law of the million (70 percent) of the jobs displaced by this trade in 2007 were in manu- land.” facturing. In fact, manufacturing activity plummeted in September at the fast- est pace in more than two decades to its lowest level since immediately after Barack Obama — Labor Day 2008 the September 11 terror attacks. Page 4 WEST COAST SAILORS Friday, October 24, 2008 SUP President's Report

In contrast, Senator Obama supports cargo pref- October 14, 2008 using foreign manufactured components to build the ves- sels, which the Coast Guard approved. In that case the erence and Buy American. judge ruled (see the September 2008 West Coast Sail- The choice is clear as the differences are stark. TRANSPORTATION WORKERS ors) that the vessels can be certified as U.S.-built as The TTD Executive Committee was also addressed long as their major components of the hull or super- by Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri), a strong IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL structure are fabricated domestically. Other components Obama supporter and a member of the Armed Ser- may be fabricated elsewhere, but all components must vices and Commerce, Science and Transportation The deadline for all mariners to hold a valid Trans- be installed or added, within the United States. Committees. McCaskill is a champion of transporta- portation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) is Matson representatives in formed your secretary that tion workers in the Senate. Representatives of the now a little over six months away. April 15, 2009, is it will make no public comment until it has digested Obama campaign were also in attendance and stated the date that all mariners will be required to show a Judge Ellis’ full opinion. It is assumed that Homeland without qualification that “Unions will have a place TWIC to enter a terminal or board a vessel. Anyone Security and Matson will appeal as the Coast Guard at the table in an Obama administration.” attempting to board or sign on a vessel after that date and its National Vessel Documentation Center deter- without a TWIC will be turned around so as not to mined on October 23,2007, that the Mokihana could MARINE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM violate federal law. No waivers or temporary authori- be issued a coastwise endorsement entitling it to en- zations to work can be granted under the law. If you gage in domestic transportation. NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL apply late, you will not be allowed to work until your Given the court ruling, the loss of the Mokihana is card is issued after April 15. within the realm of possibility. Notified Matson that Along with SUP Welfare Plan Workforce Develop- If you are denied a TWIC for any reason, there is the SUP was ready to assist as necessary to maintain ment Director, Berit Eriksson, attended a Marine Trans- only a 60-day period in which a mariner may appeal the coastwise endorsement for the vessel. portation National Advisory Council (MTSNAC) meet- that decision. If the mariner does not appeal within the ing on September 17 and 18, in Arlington, Virginia. 60-day window, he/she will be permanently denied a MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND The purpose of this quai-governmental organization is TWIC. The fact that a mariner is at sea will not impact to advise the Secretary of Transportation and the Mari- the 60-day time limit, so it is imperative that someone time Administrator on matters relating to the Marine monitor the mail or email at home to ensure any denial Both Matson and Patriot Contract Services were un- Transportation System (MTS) —waterways, ports and is communicated in a timely manner. Again, if your successful in their bids to operate eight Watson-class their intermodal connections. TWIC is denied, you cannot work. Large Medium Speed Roll-On/Roll-Off (LMSR) ves- The Council is comprised of port authorities, the Each Captain of the Port zone will issue a separate sels. Last month the Military Sealift Command awarded Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of date of compliance for land-side facilities. For example, a five-year $27 million, fixed-price contract to Ocean Manufacturers, the Pacific Maritime Association and Matson advises that a TWIC will be required at Hawai’i Ships, Inc. of Houston, Texas. Ocean Ships is an SIU- other employer based organizations. The SUP along ports as of February 12, 2009. Mariners (those actually A&G-contracted company as was the previous opera- with the ILWU and the ILA are the only labor repre- sailing, not office personnel or port engineers) will be tor, Maersk Line. sentatives. Matson and particularly Patriot indicate they intend allowed to show a Merchant Mariner’s Document The focus of the meeting was how to improve this to bid on future government work. (MMD, or Z-card) to access terminal facilities between nation’s maritime infrastructure to facilitate trade. There February 12 and April 15. After April 15, everyone who were many worthwhile proposals in this regard, how- enters a terminal, or boards a vessel, must have a TWIC. TRANSPORTATION TRADES ever, the participants realized the implementation would DEPARTMENT be up to the new administration. APL For the SUP, the key reason for attending these meet- ings is to ensure that the business-types do not make a Attended an Executive Committee meeting of the recommendation to repeal the Jones Act —which many As reported last month, under the 2005-2015 agree- Transportation Trades Department (TTD), AFL-CIO, of them would like to do. ment with APL Marine Services, Ltd., the rates of the of which the SUP is an affiliate, on September 16, in company’s contribution to the SUP Welfare Plan shall Washington, D.C. be increased by the medical care services component TTD President Ed Wytkind made it clear from CALIFORNIA LABOR FEDERATION of the Consumer Price Index (United States City Aver- the outset that the election of Barack Obama as presi- age for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers), dent was the top priority of the department as well As a Vice President of the California Labor Federa- or its agreed upon successor, during the most recent as the labor movement as a whole. On a host of tion, AFL-CIO, attended an Executive Council meet- 12-month period for which such index was calculated issues that are critical to American workers, Sena- ing on October 2, in Los Angeles. by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of tor Obama is pro-worker while John McCain’s At the top of the agenda was a comprehensive dis- Labor. The medical component increase was 4.1% record is abysmal. cussion of the legislative efforts made by the Federa- which the parties agreed upon on September 18. On labor rights, Obama will ban replacement tion to improve conditions for California’s working The SUP, MFOW and SIU-Marine Cooks also agreed workers (scabs) from breaking strikes, while McCain families. Among the Federation-sponsored bills that last month to a Memorandum of Understanding with backs companies that fire or replace lawfully strik- passed the State Assembly and Senate were those that APL, subject to membership approval, in which APL ing workers. Senator Obama opposes using bank- would have increased penalties on contractors and sub- agreed to the pension benefit improvements negotiated ruptcy to avoid strikes and destroy contracts where contractors who violate the state’s prevailing wage laws; in June with Matson. McCain supports this anti-worker tactic. Obama is a bill that would have protected workers privacy by a cosponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act while limiting the circumstances under which employers can MATSON NAVIGATION COMPANY McCain is an opponent. Obama is a strong supporter access their private financial information and credit of the Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage standards. history; and that would have created a universal, single- McCain voted to kill Davis-Bacon 13 times. And the payer health care system; a bill that would have pro- As reported in the December 2007 issue of the West list goes on. tected workers’ right to collect unemployment insur- Coast Sailors, the Shipbuilders Council of America and ance if they are terminated as a result of taking paid Pasha Hawai’i Transport Lines sued the Department of Based on McCain’s maritime record, the U.S.- family leave; and a bill that would have restored some Homeland Security, the Coast Guard and the Coast flag, U.S.-crewed industry could possibly cease to fairness to the workers’ compensation system by dou- Guard’s National Vessel Documentation Center alleg- exist if he were elected. McCain would like the Jones bling the weeks of benefits that permanently injured ing that Matson’s C-9 type vessel Mokihana was “re- Act repealed and originally wanted to “outsource” workers can receive. built” foreign —in violation of the Jones Act— when the Maritime Security Program (MSP). If his poli- she was retrofitted to add roll-on/roll-off capacity in a cies were put in place, it would be adios to Matson, “Would have” is the operative word, because al- Chinese shipyard. For this alleged violation the suit Chevron, APL and Foss, as they would have the though all of the bills mentioned plus many more passed asked the court to ban the Mokihana from the domestic right to hire foreign nationals. Senator Obama sup- both houses of the legislature, Governor (Jones Act) trades. ports the Jones Act and MSP. Schwarzenegger vetoed all of them. In addition, after $10 billion in budget cuts, concessions on every com- On September 30, Judge T.S. Ellis of the U.S. Dis- McCain has voted seven times against cargo pref- ponent of budget reform and a take-away of overtime trict Court of the Eastern District of Virginia granted a erence standards for the U.S. Merchant Marine. In pay for high-tech workers, Schwarzenegger used his motion for summary judgment in favor of the Ship- 1996, he voted to force U.S. vessels to charge third line-item veto authority to slash another $510 million builders and Pasha that the Mokihana had been rebuilt world rates; in 1993 he voted twice to ban U.S.-flag in state spending before he signed the 2008-2009 bud- foreign and that its coastwise endorsement should be ships that charge more than third world competi- get. Many of the cuts were targeted at programs that revoked. Judge Ellis also denied a motion by Home- tors; in 1991 after moving troops and critical sup- the Federation has fought to create and defend. land Security, et.al., and Matson, which joined the case plies during the Gulf War, McCain opposed increas- as a defendant-intervenor, to dismiss the suit. ing the number of U.S.-flag ships and jobs; in 1990 Schwarzenegger eliminated funding for the Labor In- he voted twice to gut cargo preference standards; stitute at the University of California, named for the The current ruling comes a month after the Metal and in 1989, he voted to strip military and foreign late head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Trades Department, AFL-CIO lost a legal effort in U.S. aid shipments from U.S.-crewed vessels. This should Labor, Miguel Contreras. The Governor reduced fund- District Court in Pennsylvania to declare that product come as no surprise from a man who said in 2005 ing from $5.4 million to zero, thus completely deplet- tankers being built at Aker Shipyard in Philadelphia were that “I firmly object to Buy American provisions...” unlawful under the Jones Act because the shipyard was continued on next page Friday, October 24, 2008 WEST COAST SAILORS Page 5

President’s Report continued Vice President's Report ing funding for U.S. labor research. In terly Finance Committee shall be elected October 2008 addition, Schwarzenegger eliminated at today’s Headquarters meeting to re- Ships Checked funding for the California Discount Pre- view the finances of the Union for the President Polk: Dave Eriksen, delegate. Clarification on watchstanding. Some scription Drug Program which would third quarter of 2008, and report back to issues still under investigation. have used the State’s purchasing power the membership at the November coast- APL China: Joe Marusak, delegate. Emailed clarification on delayed sailing. to lower the cost of prescription drugs wise meetings. In the event the commit- for those without drug coverage. tee cannot be filled today, recommend APL Philippines: Tony Montoya, delegate. Clean ship. In at Oakland. Schwarzenegger has line-time vetoed this that when the quarterly audit of the APL Singapore: Chris Bujnowski, delegate. Captain bullied two crewmembers program since its passage. Unions funds is completed, which will into quitting rather than a proper termination because neither infraction held just Schwarzenegger also took $15 million al- be in about three weeks, necessary com- cause grounds. Unacceptable behavior reported to the Company reps who promised located to low wage U.C. workers and mittee members be shipped off the hir- action. gave it to administrators; reduced fund- ing hall deck as per past practice. Manukai: Michael Soper, delegate. Clarification on subsistence amounts, retro- ing for fair employment and housing by The Quarterly Finance Committee active pay and Company reimbursement of travel expenses enroute the ship. Checking $1 million; and cut $100 million in pub- will turn to on Friday, November 7, at out meridian day payroll issue. lic transportation funding. 8:00 A.M. Mokihana: John Savage, delegate. Singapore Sid has things well in hand. Crew Regrettably, “The Terminator” will not replaced lifeboat falls in Richmond in the midst of other duties. be termed out of office until 2010, how- HOLIDAY Kauai: Mike McLavy, delegate. Mike El Mobdy, bosun. In at Oakland. Thor- ever, the Federation has targeted several ough discussion of financial crisis. No beefs. Assembly and Senate Districts to elect Washington Voyager: Earl Eastmark, delegate. Paul Seager, bosun. Inept non- pro-worker representatives that will pro- All SUP halls will be closed on Tues- union steward relieved by one of the best—Michael Peterson. Clarification on pen- vide the votes necessary to override day, November 11, in observance of Vet- sion. New crew introductions, applications for membership sent. Schwarzenegger’s vetoes. Members liv- erans’ Day and on Thursday, Novem- Colorado Voyager: Jenn Corner, delegate. In at RLW sparkling from the yard ing in California who are interested in ber 27, for Thanksgiving Day. period. being involved in this effort should con- Veterans’ Day is not a holiday under California Voyager: Kelly Eggers, delegate. Thor Erikson, bosun. Still in the tact their local labor councils. the Ready Reserve Force agreements with yard in Portland. Calls from the delegate and bosun indicates most things okay. When the new legislature convenes Matson and Patriot Contract Services. Ship in better shape than the first charter. next year, the Federation again plans for Mississippi Voyager: Robert Turner, delegate. Launch schedule failure in El an aggressive pro-worker legislative pro- ACTION TAKEN Segundo brought to the attention of the Company. Investigation revealed new cap- gram including properly funding the tain had failed to order return launches. Intervention of the Union at the direction of state’s Unemployment Benefits and in- the delegate resolved the situation. M/S MOU with APL to approve pen- creasing those benefits which now rank Cape Jacob: Ben Hulsey, delegate, relieved by Mike Henderson. Staggered re- sion increase. Carried unanimously. 44th in the nation. lief of present crew underway. New trainees in school. Quarterly Finance Committee — San Francisco Bar Pilots: Steve Ross and Louie Urbano, delegates. New train- Elected were: Paul Fuentes, Romaine ees working offshore. QUARTERLY FINANCE Dudley, Arthur Thanash, Lou Frazier COMMITTEE and Sonny Cooper. Foss Maritime Company: Sean Gaddis, Tom Tynan, Mike Worth, and Mel Jackson, delegates. Considerable discussion on posting requirements for the Lynne M/S to concur in the President’s re- Marie finally worked out. Co. agreed to maintain present standards and to bid by In accordance with Article XVII, Sec- port. Carried unanimously. seniority and qualifications. Recent incident regarding bolts in a hose flange re- tion 2 of the SUP Constitution, a Quar- Gunnar Lundeberg sulted in minor disciplinary action. Dave Connolly SUP Branch Reports

The SUP continues to support the that make up the Council about what’s Seattle Washington State Labor Council with going on in their organizations. The Wilmington phone banking and sign planting to help ILWU Local 142 asks you to Boycott elect “labor friendly” politicians. All of Pacific Beach Hotel and the Pagoda Ho- September 15, 2008 us need to help out. If you can not help tel. UFWU reports of slow negotiations September 15, 2008 Two Boatswain jobs shipped and filled in person then contribute to the SUP Po- with Safeway. A strike is possible. They Shipped during the period: 1 bosun, 6 by A-members; 4 Able Seaman berths litical Fund. “Vote for your wallet”. are also trying to get Whole Foods orga- ABDs, 10 ABS, 1 OS and 68 standbys, shipped and filled with 2 A-members and Vince O’Halloran nized, and are getting a cold response for a total of 87 jobs. 1 B and 1 C-member. 4 standbys taken from management. The HPMC also Registration is at 33 A cards, 21 B by A-members. Branch Agent made a donation to the Hawai’i Athletic cards and 0 C cards. Registered during the period: 8 A cards League of Scholars where I volunteer as Ships Checked for a total of 23; 7 B cards for a total of a football coach for an “Open Weight” 17; 6 C cards for a total of 9. 9-12 year old team. I would like to thank Maunawili, APL China, APL Korea, Maunalei, Mississippi Voyager, R.J. Ships Checked Honolulu them for their generosity to these youths who without this athletic program would Pfeiffer, APL Thailand, APL Philippines, Matson ships Maui and Kauai in twice September 16, 2008 not be able to compete. Matsonia, Manoa, Mahimahi with little or no problems. The President Shipped during the period: 1 bosun, 4 We held our 29th annual Labor Day Polk called in New York and I spoke with Also attended the Hawaii State AFL- ABWs, 1 ABD, 2 AB returns, and 2 AB Parade and Rally. Next year will be the the crew regarding minor clarifications. CIO meeting. The main topic of discus- maints. filled by 4 A cards and 6 B cards. sion was the upcoming November elec- 30th anniversary of our event. This is I represented the SUP at the following Shipped 25 standby jobs to 3 B cards, 5 tion and the finalization of our endorse- your chance to show the politicians that meetings: C cards and 1 D applicant. ments which will be posted in the West the working class taxpayers can and will A Port of Seattle Commissioners’ meet- Registered during September: 6 A Coast Sailors. Don’t forget to REGIS- stand together. Or you could stay home ing with the Seattle City Council on the cards for a total of 10; 7 B cards for a TER and VOTE! and let some jerks tell them what you economic impact of maritime commerce total of 11; 3 C cards for a total of 7; Michelle Chang from the SUP Wel- want. As you well know the working to Seattle. It is a shame that the City and 1 D card. fare Plan will be here for the October class taxpayers are the biggest voting Council members need to be educated Ships Checked meeting. I encourage all members espe- block in our country., Don’t let some on this subject; these folks are hell-bent Maunalei, Matsonia, Maui, Mokihana, cially retirees to attend as she can an- jerks divide us, be there for the 30th an- to turning this region into an industrial Mahimahi, Maunawili, Manulani, R.J. swer any questions you may have. niversary. rust-belt such as Ohio and Michigan. Pfeiffer, Kauai, the Matson Rigging Loft, Branch Agent Mike Duvall is up and I worked the L.A. County Federation I attended a round table meeting of la- and the Watters (via e-mail & telephone). around and is doing very well. I expect of Labor also with MTD where I met bor and industry leaders and U.S., Mari- September has been an active month to see him behind his desk very soon,but with representatives of the Labor Party time Administrator Sean Connaughton; for the Port of Honolulu. his doctor has yet to clear him. He again who proclaim that big business has two the Puget Sound Area Maritime Secu- parties, it’s time for us to have one. Ques- Some of the guys’ down at the rigging would like to thank all who wish him rity Committee; the King County Labor well. tion for the politicians: if the government Council meetings; and a meeting with loft are still not happy about the new “90 Finally, I regret to inform the member- can bail out the bankers why can’t they Congressman Rick Larsen who serves on day” rule. They may not be happy with ship of the passing of Brother Chuck Lum. subsidize shipping and manufacturing the House Armed Services Committee. it, but it was ratified by the membership. All other ships report little if any prob- I knew Chuck from around the Union hall and put money back in the hands of the The SUP stood and continues to stand lems. Thank you delegates for doing your and his presence will be missed. working class tax payer who support our in the picket lines with our brothers and economy like other countries do? We job well! Patrick Weisbarth sisters in the Machinists Union in their Attended the Hawai’i Port Maritime strike against the Boeing Company. Acting Branch Agent Council meeting. Heard from the Unions continued on page 8 Page 6 WEST COAST SAILORS Friday, October 24, 2008

ESU Office Assignments For the month of November, Kevin ESUESU NEWSNEWS Conroy will be in the Seabrook office and Leo DeCastro will be in the Benicia OCTOBER 2008 office. Official Publication of the Exxon Seamen's Union 2008 election of ESU 2009 Annual Enrollment for officers underway ExxonMobil Benefit Plans begins Ballots for the 2008 ESU election of Union officials were mailed he annual open enroll their own packet. Additionally, plan limit adjustments have been to the membership following the close of the special nomination ment for ExxonMobil should anyone need assistance made to some HMO options. T or has any questions about their You should review plan summa- period for the newly created Board Members at Large positions on Medical, Dental, Vision October 21, 2008. and Pre-Tax Spending Plans benefit plans and availability ries during this open enrollment they can contact Benefits Ad- period to ensure you are aware Up for election this fall are the two Board Member at Large begin on October 27, 2008 through November 14, 2008. ministration at 713-680-5858 or of any changes to your specific positions and four Ship Representative spots, which include, the 800-262-2363. HMO plan. S/R Baytown, Sierra, Kodiak and S/R Wilmington. The voting All employees will receive the The good news for 2009, is the Inside these booklets you will period is currently underway and will conclude on December 23, 2009 Benefits Open Enrollment monthly premium contributions find details about the new Exxon when the ballots are due at the American Arbitration Association booklets and forms from ben- paid by the employees for their Mobil Medical Plan (EMMP) office in New York. Following notification to the ESU Seabrook efits administration around the benefit plans will not increase. option or POS II “A” which of- office on December 23, the results will be promptly announced to October 27 start date. Your booklet, as it was last year, will In addition, employees will have fers all the features of the cur- the membership. The two new Executive Board Members at Large two plans to choose from under rent POS II option (which will positions will, along with the 4 Ship Representative positions, be- contain options specific to each employee and the information the POS II plan (an option A and be called POS II “B” in 2009), gin their 3-year term on January 1, 2009. will be sent to wherever the per- B). Everyone should closely re- but with lower monthly premi- On the official ballot, all candidates are listed in alphabetical or- son is (i.e. home on paid leave view the plans that are available ums and higher plan cost shar- der. This year Frank O’Malia ran unopposed for the office of Board or on assignment on the vessel). to you for the best option to meet ing features such as deductibles, Member at Large. Likewise, Ship Representatives Joe Bernavich The Union was also informed your personal needs. co-pays and out of pocket lim- (S/R Baytown), Tim Williams (Kodiak) and Thor Floreen (Sierra) that each vessel will receive cop- While no HMO’s have been its as shown below: Prescrip- also ran unopposed. Jeffrey “Jeff” Harris and Aaron Rathbun are ies of all the booklets and forms added or discontinued for 2009, tion Drug Program identical for running for the Ship Representative position for the S/R Wilming- for use if anyone did not receive increases to co-pays and other both options. ton. No one ran for the second Board Member at Large position. Consequently, as required by the Constitution and Bylaws, the Ex- POS II “A” - New Option POS II “B” - Current Option ecutive Board will need to appoint a second Board Member at Large. PCP Co-pay $35 $20 Please see appointment article in this edition of ESU NEWS. Specialist Co-pay $50 $30 Ballots and voting instructions were addressed individually to Mental Health Provider Co-pay $50 $30 each eligible voter and should be arriving about the time this edi- In-Network Deductible $500 $300 tion of the ESU NEWS is released. Remember, an eligible voter is Out-of-Network Deductible $600 $300 one whom has been a member in good standing at least 90 days In-Hospital Deductible (In Network) $250 $150 prior to the start of the election. In-Hospital Deductible (Out-of-Network) $500 $300 The ESU thanks all the candidates involved for their support and Network Reimbursement Level 75% 80% willingness to serve the membership. At a minimum, their willing- Out-of-Network Reimbursement Level 55% 60% ness to serve should be recognized by every member casting a ballot during this important election for our Union. All ESU mem- Network Out-of-Pocket Limit $4,500 $3,000 bers are encouraged to participate in the elective process and strive Out-of-Network Out-of-Pocket Limit $13,500 $12,000 for 100% voter participation in this election. PLEASE VOTE! Updates to hospital deductibles for POS II “B” (current) option For 2009, the hospital deductible is $150 for in network hospital admissions and $300 for out-of- New Web Address for Exxon Mobil network hospital admissions (from $75 and $150, respectively). Updated Prescription Drug Program for POS II “B” and POS II “A” Savings Plan To further promote generic and formulary drug use, the prescription out of pocket maximums at On October 1, the website address changed for the ExxonMobil retail and mail will be as shown below for both POS II options: Savings Plan. In July, it was announced that ING had purchased 2008 2009 CitiStreet from its parent organizations (Citigroup and State Street Retail Mail Retail Mail Bank & Trust Company) and you would begin to see ING on your Generic $100 $150 $50 $100 Savings Plan correspondence. In conjunction with this transition, Formulary (Preferred) Brand $100 $150 $100 $200 the Savings Plan website address has changed from Non-Formulary Brand $100 $150 $150 $300 www.xomsavings.csplans.com to http://xomsavings.ingplans.com. The annual out-of-pocket maximums for 2009 will change to $2,500 individual and $5,000 for Participants are encouraged to update bookmarks and favorites family. The need to obtain prior authorization from the prescription drug provider (Medco) prior to to the new address. If you have further questions, please call an filling a prescription will be implemented for certain drugs; affected participants will be notified ExxonMobil Savings Plan Customer Service Representative at 1- directly by Medco. 877-966-4015. 2009 Monthly premiums for ExxonMobil Medical Plan Confined space rescue POS II “B”- Option (Current) POS II “A” - Option (New) Class of Coverage Employee Only $91.00 $70.00 Employee +1 $205.00 $149.00 Family $330.00 $215.00 ExxonMobil Dental & Vision Plans for 2009 The ExxonMobil Dental Plan performance for 2008 has been favorable; therefore monthly contri- butions for employees and retirees will not change. In fact, the Plan preventive benefit has been enhanced by eliminating the 5% coinsurance for preventive services. The ExxonMobil Vision Plan for 2009 also has no changes and no increase in monthly contribu- tions. The following tables show the monthly contributions will remain the same for 2009. ExxonMobil Pre-Tax Spending Plan There will be a number of changes to the Pre-Tax Spending Plan to ensure consistency with Internal Revenue Service regulations published in 2007. Employees will be provided with details of the changes for consideration in making their 2009 elections. During the week of September 22-26, 2008 another Confined Space Retiree/Survivor Contributions Rescue training course was held in College Station, Texas. ESU Monthly contributions for this group will increase by 10% under the ExxonMobil Medical Plan. members that attended this course are pictured from left to right: HMO participant contributions will be similarly adjusted. The new POS II option “A” plan will be Roque Salute, Rick Baur, Thor Floreen, Steve Bowles, Billy Wayne available to retirees with lower premiums. Please review your retiree packet forthcoming in the mail Kendrick and down front is Edgar Paderes. for more details and rates that apply to this group. Friday, October 24, 2008 WEST COAST SAILORS Page 7 ESU News Board Member at Large position Brenda Johnson retires open to appointment Fleet Chef Brenda Johnson has elected to re- Only one member (Frank O’Malia) was nominated for one of the two Board Mem- tire after eighteen years of ber at Large positions during the nomination period that ended on October 21, 2008. company service. In view of the fact that no member was nominated for the second position, the Brenda’s last ship was the Executive Board is now required by the Constitution and Bylaws to make an appoint- S/R Long Beach and the ment in accordance with the ESU Constitution and By-laws, Article V, Section 4(a). crew gave her a going The Board Member at Large positions were added to make up for the two posi- away party. She was pre- tions that were lost when the previous four Executive Board positions were com- sented with a nice set of bined. The ESU Executive Board believes it is important to the membership that the Chef knives in recognition Union continues to have an Executive Board that consists of seven ESU officers. of her service in the fleet. This important position will be assigned to the fleet similar to the department Captain Duane Madinger trustees but unlike the trustees can come from any department. They will also serve made the presentation and on the Union negotiating committee thus maintaining the Union’s negotiating strength thanked her for excellent and can fill in for the President/Secretary or the Vice President/Treasurer in the culinary creations over event of illness or disability. the years. The Union requests that all members interested in being considered for an ap- Brenda started her ca- pointment to contact either ESU office and request consideration for this position. If reer on the Exxon North you are interested in serving as Board Member at Large, please contact either Slope as Maintenance S/R Long Beach Captain Duane Madinger presented Union office no later than December 15, 2008. The appointment will begin on Seamen in 1990. She ini- Brenda Johnson with a retirement gift on behalf of the January 1, 2009 and will run through the end of 2011. tially had Deck depart- crew in recognition of her 18 years of service with the ment aspirations and was The Union encourages all members to consider stepping forward to serve the Company. The presentation was made on board the vessel Union and the membership. promoted to Able Seamen during a retirement party in her honor. in 1997. She also had an interest in working in the ExxonMobil Savings Plan electronic Steward’s department and was promoted to Cook in 2001. A short time later, in confirmation statements 2003 Brenda was promoted to Fleet Chef. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Brenda for her many years of loyal Beginning October 15, 2008, you can choose whether you want your ExxonMobil service to the Union and we all wish her the best in her well deserved retirement. Brenda Savings Plan transaction confirmation statements delivered to you by paper at your plans on spending her retirement years relaxing at her Arizona home, doing water current address on file or electronically to your secure ExxonMobil Savings Plan color painting, and playing with her cat, Teddy, and her dog, Nelly. Web site mailbox where you may view correspondence on-line and print a copy. If you receive your correspondence electronically, an e-mail will be sent to your preferred e-mail address to notify you that new correspondence is in your ExxonMobil Seabrook ESU office update Savings Plan on-line mail box. You then access the correspondence by signing onto As was reported in last month’s edition of the ESU NEWS, Hurricane Ike flooded the ExxonMobil Savings Plan Web site. the ESU Seabrook, TX office. The city of Seabrook was closed for a few days Correspondence delivered electronically includes most transaction confirmation following the hurricane, which prevented the ESU Board officer on assignment notices. Transactions resulting in a check and certain literature requests, as well as (John Straley) from assessing the damage until the following week. quarterly statements, will continue to be sent through regular mail to your current The damage was very extensive and mostly the result of 5 feet of salt water that address on file. inundated our building. Fortunately, the ESU Board decided a long time ago to start The first time that you log into your ExxonMobil Savings Plan account on or after saving our important files on the computer and external hard drives and they along October 15, 2008, you will be prompted to choose regular mail or electronic deliv- with office equipment were evacuated in advance of the storm. ery for correspondence. If you choose electronic delivery, you must also select ESU Engine Trustee and retiree Chester Bell on short notice came by to help out your preferred e-mail address so that you may be notified when correspondence is with the cleanup. As you can imagine, most everything was water logged but there available to view in your mailbox. were some items that could be salvaged. The ESU appreciates all the hard work that To view your electronic correspondence, update your preferred e-mail address, Will and Chester provided. It was a dirty job and would have been an impossible or change back to paper delivery, simply access the “My Correspondence and task for one person. Records” section of your ExxonMobil Savings Plan Web site. Currently, the Union is conducting our Seabrook office operations from our apart- If you have further questions, please call an ExxonMobil Savings Plan Customer ment in Seabrook, TX. Phone calls and mail intended for our Seabrook office will Service Representative at 1-877-966-4015. forward to our apartment for this interim period. We hope to have our office up and running again soon but we are not sure when that will be. The Union has not received the final word on whether the building will Ship reports be repaired or not. There is a possibility that our current building may not be repaired depending on the extent of the damage. We do have a contingency plan S/R American Progress and have made arrangements for another office location in the Seabrook area should Benicia on October 17. Pumpman Earl it become necessary to move. An ESU Board officer visited the Doucet Jr. is filling in as Ship Repre- vessel in Beaumont on October 15. The sentative and reported everything run- vessel discharged her cargo in Beau- ning smoothly. The vessel will be on Final Departure: John D. Farrell, Jr. mont and then loaded cargo for dis- the Valdez, Long Beach and San Fran- Former ESU Executive Board member John D. Farrell Jr., 51, of Secane, PA, charge in Ft. Lauderdale. While at cisco trade for awhile. died peacefully October 13, at his home. Mr. Farrell worked for Exxon Shipping Beaumont, Mike Morrow was on board Company/SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. from 1983-1997. During John’s employment he to activate internet/e-mail access for the Sierra The Sierra is in the Puget Sound for served the Union well on behalf of the membership and was a fiery supporter and unlicensed personnel. Ed Stoeckel con- protector of our Labor Agreement. tinues to fill in as Ship Rep. discharge at Cherry Point and Anacortes. QMED Eric Bush is filling Survivors include: Daughter, Dana Lynn Farrell of Folcroft; mother, Mary Ann S/R Baytown in as Ship Rep. Eric has reported no Doyle Farrell; sister, Mary Beth Botz of Atlanta; brothers, Mark Farrell of The Baytown will load in Baton problems from the vessel. The vessel Wallingford, Conn., Chris Farrell of Austin, Texas, Kevin Farrell of Secane; nieces; Rouge for discharge in New York. It after the discharge in the Puget Sound nephews; many other relatives and friends. Donations: American Cancer Society, is expected she will make two trips on is likely to head to Port Angeles for some 1626 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19103. this run. Paul Clow is filling in as Ship repairs and most likely to get ready for Representative and reports no problems the shipyard period. Still no official EXXON SEAMEN'S UNION on board. word on the location of the shipyard. Founded March 28, 1941 Kodiak S/R Wilmington Affiliated with the Sailors' Union of the Pacific The Kodiak continues in her Valdez ESU Board officer was on the vessel 1320 5th Street, Suite A P.O. Box 792 to Puget Sound trade. Regular Ship on October 17, at VoPak in Houston. Rep. Tim Williams is aboard and stays Seabrook, TX 77586 Benicia, CA 94510 Regular Ship Rep. Jeff Harris is on Tel (281) 474-2430 Tel (707) 746-5713 in touch with the ESU Board via e-mail board. Vessel was delayed several days Fax (281) 474-2463 Fax (707) 746-7859 and reports no beefs. while waiting for berthing and cargo. E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] S/R Long Beach Mike Morrow was on board the vessel An ESU Board officer visited the on the 18th to install the software for President Kevin Conroy Long Beach at the Valero Dock in crew Internet access. Vice President John Straley Deck Trustee Pat Campbell Secretary/Treasurer Leo DeCastro Engine Trustee William Ackley Recording Secretary Thomas Thompson III Steward Trustee Kurt Kreick The ESU News is written and edited by the Exxon Seamen’s Union. Page 8 WEST COAST SAILORS Friday, October 24, 2008 Labor on the March in Wilmington Welfare Notes October 2008 MEDICARE Part A Most people do not pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse has 40 or more quarters of Medicare covered employment. Part A pays for inpa- tient hospital, skilled nursing facility, and some home health care. Hospital Stays: Medicare pays all covered costs except: Part A Deductible $1,068.00 in 2009 for a hospital stay of 1-60 days; $267.00 per day patient’s responsibility for 61-90 days of a hospital stay; $534.00 per day patient’s responsibility for 91-150 days of a hospital stay. All costs are patient’s responsibility for days beyond 150 days of a hospital stay. Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance: $133.50 per day for days 21 through 100 for each benefit period. Part B The monthly Medicare Part B premium for 2009 will be $96.40. This is the same amount charged in 2008. Medicare Part B covers Medicare eligible physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, and durable medical equip- Prior to the Wilmington Labor Day Parade, SUP and MFOW members marshal ment. There is a $135.00 Medicare Part B deductible. The patient pays at the hall. From left: Morris Thibodeaux, Lighton Gandy, Wilmington Branch 20% of the Medicare approved amount for services after the deductible Agent Paul Calais, Matt Montalbo, MFOW Port Agent Bob Bugarin, Frank Spen- has been met. cer, George Colleens, MFOW Vice President Bill O’Brien, and Tom Riley. Part D is the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Please contact Medicare or your Part D plan carrier for questions about possible premium changes or coverage changes. The cost of the Medicare Part B premium is reimbursed to Pensioners on SUP Branch Reports continued their pension check. The amount of the Medicare Part B premium is then deducted from the Pensioners’ Annual Allowance. Wilmington report continued Please contact the Plan office for questions about the Pensioners Allowance. need to export goods not companies and jobs. It is as Harry Bridges said to (1-800-796-8003 or 415-778-5490) me back in the 80’s. When the time is right the rank and file will call for a Michelle Chang, Administrator [email protected] general strike. We are the biggest voting block. Patty Martin [email protected] Yours in struggle, Virginia Briggs Claims [email protected] Paul Calais Michael Jacyna Eligibility [email protected] Branch Agent Training Representative Berit Eriksson 415-957-1816 SUP Welfare Plan Phone Numbers: 415-778-5490 or 1-800-796-8003 SUP members join pension ranks Fax: 415-778-5495 SIU-PD Pension 415-764-4987 The following SUP members joined the rank of pensioner, bringing the total SIU-PD Supplemental Benefits 415-764-4991 number of SUP members to 604: John B. Lundborg, 74, Book No. Herbert James, 70, Book No. 4312, 4118, joined SUP in 1998, 7 years joined SUP in 1967, 37 years seatime. seatime. Sung S. Kwak, 81, Book No. 3102, Tentative AMO-MEBA settlement ends Delmar R. Harlow, 65, Book No. joined SUP in 1953, 54 years seatime. Interlake contract case, but MEBA remains 5874, joined SUP in 1990, 11 years Dennis Sparta, 73, Book No. 7412, seatime. joined SUP in 1955, 48 years seatime. under AFL-CIO’s Article XX sanctions for raiding on the Great Lakes San Francisco Dispatcher's The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association and its benefit funds must pay Business Agent Report American Maritime Officers a combined $2.5 million in damages for interfering with a valid collective bargaining agreement between AMO and Interlake Steam- Headquarters—Sept. 2008 ship Company on the Great Lakes in July 2003. October 14, 2008 The damages were specified in a tentative settlement between AMO and MEBA Kauai— Mike McLavy, delegate: Se- Deck August 18. The settlement agreement would end the “tortious interference” case attle/San Francisco/Honolulu run. The Bosun ...... 4 brought by AMO against MEBA, current and former MEBA officials, and six ship will be laying up in October. Made Carpenter ...... 0 MEBA benefit funds in the Lucas County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas in Toledo twice. MM...... 3 AB ...... 12 in December 2005. Mahimahi— Manny Roxas, delegate: OS ...... 1 In its complaint, AMO charged that the defendants had interfered unlawfully with On the triangle run. Bosun Mark Hurley Standby ...... 9 a valid collective bargaining agreement between AMO and Interlake Steamship running a good gang; no disputes. Total Deck Jobs Shipped ...... 29 Company on the Great Lakes in July 2003. MEBA signed a 10-year contract with Maui— Norman Kurtz, delegate: San Total Deck B, C, D Shipped...... 10 Interlake in secrecy while the AMO-Interlake collective bargaining agreement re- Francisco/Honolulu/Seattle run. San Engine/Steward mained in effect. Both the AMO-Interlake collective bargaining agreement and the Francisco gang. No problems. QMED ...... 0 Interlake-MEBA contract covered seven self-unloading bulk carriers. Pumpman ...... 0 Mokihana— John Hamann, delegate: The tentative AMO-MEBA settlement agreement —which is subject to approval Oiler...... 0 Car carrier, running smoothly. Good by the court— would not remove sanctions imposed on MEBA by the American gang. Wiper ...... 0 Steward ...... 0 Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) under Ar- Moku Pahu— Charlie Noble, del- Cook ...... 0 ticle XX of the AFL-CIO Constitution in two separate AMO-MEBA jurisdictional egate: Paid off at Crockett. Long trip to Messman ...... 0 disputes involving a tug-barge and a bulk carrier operated on the lakes by Interlake Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Costa Rica, Total E&S Jobs Shipped ...... 0 Steamship Company. and Honolulu. Bosun Isnin Idris did a Total E&S B, C, D Shipped ...... 0 “The tentative settlement agreement provides for less in damages than AMO had good job on an old rusty bucket. Total Jobs Shipped - All Depts. ... 29 sought but more than MEBA was able to pay, given that union’s current distressed APL China— Joe Marusak, delegate: Total B, C, D Shipped-All Depts. . 10 financial condition,” said AMO National President Tom Bethel. “I was told reliably Voyage pay off. Running smoothly. No Total Registered “A” ...... 48 that a pre-trial settlement was preferable to pursuit of the case, which would have Total Registered “B” ...... 43 disputes. gone through multiple appeals all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States Total Registered “C” ...... 3 APL Korea— Dale Gibson, delegate: Total Registered “D” ...... 7 at significant expense to AMO, with no guarantee that MEBA and its benefit funds Clean pay off. No disputes. would be able to pay.” APL Philippines— Ramiro Montoya, Under the tentative settlement agreement, MEBA must pay AMO $1.25 million delegate: Voyage pay off. No disputes; within 30 days of the settlement date, and the MEBA benefit funds must pay AMO in good shape. $1.25 million within 30 days of the settlement date. Worked in the front office. Bethel said additional information and comment “will be provided when the settle- Bill Berger ment agreement is approved by the court.” Friday, October 24, 2008 WEST COAST SAILORS Page 9 Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Enrollment Centers as of October 2008

You can pre-enroll online at www.tsa.gov/twic or call 1-866-347-8942. sary identity verification documents, provide a complete set of fingerprints, The enrollment process requires applicants to visit an enrollment center to sit for a digital photograph and pay the enrollment fee. For a complete list of provide biographic information, sign a disclosure form, provide the neces- disqualifying crimes and offenses, visit www.tsa.gov/twic.

Alabama Florida Kentucky Minnesota 401 Broadway Ave. #D, West Gulf Maritime Assoc. 1310 Port Terminal Rd. Ofc. B Tenn. Valley Trng. Ctr. Port Everglades Badging Ofc. 322 Harrison Ave. 1717 Turning Basin Lorain 115 Woodall Rd. Ste. 105 1030 Taylor Rd. Paducah Duluth-Superior Houston 444 W. Perkins Ave. Decantur Dania Beach Louisiana Holiday Inn, 1500 Hwy. 71 Gulf Gate, Ste. 314 Ste. 102 250 North Water St. 955 Tallyrand Ave. Safety Council for Louisiana International Falls 2900 Woodridge Dr. Sandusky Mobile Jacksonville Capital Area, 8180 Siegen Ln. 34 13th Ave., NE Houston Star Center Alaska Habana Plaza (rear) Baton Rouge Minneapolis 621 W. Main St. One Maritime Pl. 619 E Ship Creek Ave. 3125 Riviera Dr. 1300 N. Bertrand Dr. #306 2161 University Ave. LaPorte 720 Water St. Anchorage Key West Lafayette St. Paul Brazos Mall, Ste. 1039 Toledo Native Village of Eyak 975 North America Way 1340 W. Tunnel Blvd. Mississippi 100 Hwy 322 West Ste. 550 Oklahoma 110 Nicholoff Way Miami 800 Dr. Martin Luther Lake Jackson Houma 5350 Cimarron Rd. Cordova Manatee County, Port Auth. King, Jr. Blvd. 3800 Highway 365 Ste. 123 700 W. McNeese St. Catoosa 3200 Hospital Dr. #202 13604 Reeder Rd. Greenville Port Arthur Lake Charles Oregon Juneau Palmetto 1223 30th Ave. 411 West Main St. 50097 Kenai Spur LaPlace Shopping Center 707 Mullet Road, Gulfport 400 Virginia Ave. Port LaVaca 1933 West Airline Hwy. Nikiski Ergon Refining Ste. 112 301 Highway 146 N. Stes. 117/118 LaPlace 223 Harbor Way 227 Industrial Dr. Coos Bay Texas City Port Canaveral 512 Roderick St. Petersburg Vicksburg 7025 North Lombard 1750 FM 1432 5323 W. Hwy 98 Morgan City 501 E. Bremner St. New Hamphsire Ste. 100 Victoria Suites 119,120 Port Fourchon Harbor Police Valdez 30 Mirona Rd. Portland Panama City 108 A.O. Rappelet Road Vermont American Samoa Portsmouth Pennsylvania 145 Pine Haven Shores Rd. 2051 Dr. Martin Port Fourchon Clarion Tradewinds Hotel New Jersey 50 West Powhattan Ave. Shelburne King, Jr. Blvd. Ste. 303 170 James Dr. E. Ste. 104 Main Road, Ottoville Chester St. Rose 2500 S. Broadway, Ste P-6 Virginia Pago Pago Riviera Beach Maine Camden 1723 Woodbourne Rd. 814 Greenbrier Cir. Ste. F Arkansas 2604 E. 7th Ave. Levittown 163 Hildreth St. North 33 Wood Ave. S, Ste. 665 Chesapeake 2005 E 17th St. Tampa 601 Upland Ave. Bangor Iselin 11815 Fountain Way Little Rock Georgia Ste. 120D Ste. 300 Rm 359 236 Oxford St. Ste. 12 Quality Inn Conf. Center Georgia Power Plant Marcus Hook California Portland 531 Route 38 W Newport News McManus Philadelphia Regional Port 2050 Park Road Maple Shade Washington 1 Crispen Island Dr. Maryland 3460 N Delaware Ave. Benicia 2200 Broening Hwy., 89 Beuning Street, Ste. G 8327 Summit Park Rd., Brunswick Philadelphia Ste.D 301 E. Ocean Blvd. Ste. 220 South Hackensack 5214 Augusta Rd. 701 North Point Dr. Anacortes Ste. 500 Baltimore 400 Grove Rd. Garden City Ste. 104 Port of Everett Marina Long Beach 213 W. Main St. Ste. 204C Thorofare Guam Pittsburgh Marina Conf. Ctr. 2000 Marina Vista Dr. Salisbury New York Hose D. Leon Guerrero Puerto Rico 404 14th St. Martinez 102 Smith Boulevard 3225 Old Washington Rd. Prima Piso, Everett 1830 Embarcadero Ave. #104 Commercial Port #201 Ste. 2106 Albany Salon de Conf. Ave., Red Lion Hotel Oakland 1026 Tabras Highway Waldorf 2680 Grand Island Blvd. Santiago de los Caballeros 510 Kelso Dr. Oakland Maritime Piti Massachusetts Ste. 9 final, Edifico Turismo Kelso Support Svcs. Hawai’i 28 Damrell St. Ste. 104 Grand Island Playa Ponce Read Lion Hotel 11 Burma Rd. Kahului Shopping Center Boston Sheraton Long Island Navy Frontier Base Ste. 1 65 W. Kaahumanu Ave. Rm 2110 Oakland 300 Tremont Street, Unit #5 110 Motor Parkway 408 Ave. Fernandez Juncos Unit 14 2515 N. 20th Ave. 1251 N. Rice Ave Carver Hauppauge San Juan Kahului, Maui Pasco Oxnard 970 Kele St., Ste. 102 Michigan 2752 Middle Country Rd. Rhode Island Fraternal Order of Eagles 13201 San Pablo Ave. #300 Lihue, Kauai 115 N. First Ave, Ste. 101 Lake Grove 17 Virginia Ave. Ste. 105 AERIE #1 Richmond Hilo Hawaiian Hotel Alpena 178 W. Hoffman Ave. Providence 205 Carson Ave. S. 1025 W. Laurel St. 71 Banyan Dr. 200 W. Erie St., Ste. 1 Lindenhurst Saipan Seattle Ste. 103 5009 Pacific Hwy. E Hilo Calcite Whitehall Ferry Terminal CTSA Plaza San Diego Ste. 17 1347 Kapiolani Blvd. Delray Mechanical 4 South St., Room 210 Beach Road, Garapan 1900 Bendixsen St. Fife Business Park Ste. 204 667 S. Post St. New York South Carolina Bldg 12 Tacoma Honolulu Detroit One East 2nd St. Samoa 4600 Goer Dr., Ste. 112 33rd Place Bldg. Ste. 107 Illinois 906 Ludington St., Ste. 1 Oswego 500 Sansome St. Ste. 202 North Charleston 3305 Main St. 8741 South Greenwood Escanaba 800 West Ave., Ste. 323 San Francisco Tennessee Vancouver Dixon Building Rochester 1001 New Dock St. 863 North Pine Rd. 5959 Shallowford Rd. Chicago 700 Hummel Ave. West Virginia San Pedro Essexville Ste. 427 111 W.Washington St. Southold Tri-State Fire Academy 17 Fyffe St. 430 S. Water St. Chattanooga Ste. 346 Howland Hook 4200 Ohio River Rd. Stockton Marine City 3865 Viscount Ave. East Peoria Marine Term. Huntington Old City Hall Bldg. 220 Ste. 2 1401 Halyard Dr. 1635 W. First St. 241 Western Ave. Wisconsin W Washington St. Ste. 120 Memphis West Sacramento Granite City Staten Island 425 South Military Ave. Marquette 3200 West End Ave. Connecticut Three Rivers Safety Council Green Bay 800 E. Ellis Rd. Ste. 122 North Carolina Ste. 510 850 Grand Ave. 1615 W.Jefferson St. 311 Atlantic Beach 3073 South Chase Ave. Norton Shores Nashville New Haven Ste. TWIC Ste. 620 Amer. Inn of Silver City Causeway Texas 75 Crystal Ave. Joliet Atlantic Beach Bldg. 28 Fl. 1 120 Lincoln Ave. Ford Conv. Ctr New London Indiana 5704 Oleander Dr. Milwaukee Ontonagon Tyler Room 300 Long Beach Blvd #2A 4849 University Dr. Ste. 107 Virgin Islands 115 N. First Ave. 5155 IH-10 So. Stratford Evansville Wilmington 8000 Niksy Ctr, #202a Presque Isle Beaumont 200 Russell St. Ste. 110 Ohio Charlotte Amalie Delaware 511 Ashmun St. 1000 Foust Rd. Hammond Renaissance Park 102 Quigley Blvd. 4830 State Rd. Brownsville Sault Ste. Marie Estate Anguilla New Castle 3602 Northgate Ct. Ste. 37C Ashtabula 7433 Leopard St. 396 N. State St. Kingshill 1 Hausel Road New Albany 8044 Montgomery Rd. St. Ignace Corpus Christi Wilmington Stes. 754/755 Kansas 1020 Hastings St., Ste. 105 6000 Broadway Ste. 103 Commerce Plaza 1, 7th Flr. Cincinnati Traverse City Galveston 3100 E 45th St., Ste. 226 7300 West 110th St. Cleveland Overland Park Page 10 WEST COAST SAILORS Friday, October 24, 2008 Washington State Labor Council AFL-CIO Endorsements Following are the endorsement for the 2008 election for the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. If a race or ballot measure is not listed, the WSLC has made no recommendation in the race. Statewide State Senate/House President: Barack Obama Governor: Christine Governor: Christine Gregoire 1st: Senate: Rosemary McAuliffe Gregoire Lt. Governor: Brad Owen House 1: Al O’Brien; House 2: Mark Ericks Attorney General: John Ladenberg 2nd: Senate: Marilyn Rasmussen; House 2: Tom Campbell Auditor: Brian Sonntag 3rd: Senate: Lisa Brown Insurance Commissioner: Mike Kreidler House 1: Alex Wood; House 2: Timm Ormsby Public Lands Commissioner: Peter Goldmark 4th: Senate: Judi Owens Secretary of State: Sam Reed House 1: Linda Thompson; House 2: Tim Hattenburg State Treasurer: Jim McIntire 5th: Senate: Phyllis Huster Superintendent of Public Instruction: Terry Bergeson House 1: Jon Viebrock Judicial 6th: House 1: Don Barlow; House 2: John Driscoll Christine O. Gregoire Supreme Court Position 3: Mary Fairhurst 8th: House 1: Carol L. Moser; House 2: Lawrence Haler Supreme Court Position 4: Charles Johnson 9th: House 2: Tanya Kelley — Chris Winter* Supreme Court Position 7: Debra Stephens U.S. House 10th: Senate: Mary Margaret Haugen Court of Appeals House 1: Tim Knue; House 2: Patricia Terry Division 2, District 2: Robin Hunt 1st District: Jay Inslee 11th: Senate: Margarita Prentice Division 3, District 1: Kevin M. Korsmo 2nd District: Rick Larsen House 1: Zach Hudgins; House 2: Bob Hasegawa 3rd District: Brian Baird 14th: House 1: Vickie Ybarra 4th District: George Fearing 16th: House 2: Bill Grant 5th District: Mark Mays Ballot Measure 17th: Senate: Don Benton 6th District: Norm Dicks House 1: Tim Probst; House 2: Deb Wallace Initiative 985 - Concern Transportation - This measure would 7th District: Jim McDermott 18th: Senate: Jon Haugen 8th District: Darcy Burner open high-occupancy vehicle lanes to all traffic during specifified hours, require traffic light synchronization, House 1: VaNessa Duplessie; House 2: Jonathan Fant 9th District: Adam Smith increase roadside assistance funding and dedicate cer- 19th: Senate: Brian Hatfield tain taxes, fines, tolls and other revenues to traffic-flow House 1: Dean Takko; House 2: Brian Blake purposes ...... Oppose 20th: Senate: Charles Bojarski House 1: Michael Rechner; House 2: Jim M. Cutler 21st: House 1: Mary Helen Roberts; 2: Marko Liias 22nd: Senate: Karen Fraser Oregon State House 1: Brendan Williams; House 2: Sam Hunt 23rd: Senate: Phil Rockefeller AFL-CIO Endorsements House 1: Sherry Appleton; House 2: Christine Rolfes 24th: Senate: Jim Hargrove U.S. Senate House 1: Kevin VanDeWege; House 2: Lynn Kessler President: 25th: Senate: Jim Kastama* Jeff Merkley Barack Obama House 1: Rob Cerqui; House 2: Dawn Morrell U.S. Congress 26th: House 1: Kim Able; House 2: Larry Seaquist 27th: Senate: Debbie Regala State candidates Dist. 1: David Wu House 1: Dennis Flannagan; House 2: Jeannie Darneille Dist. 3: Earl Blumenauer 28th: Senate: Deborah Jane Srail Secretary of State: Dist. 4: Peter DeFazio House 1: Troy Kelly; House 2: Tami Green Kate Brown Dist. 5: Kurt Schrader Jeff Merkley State Treasurer: 29th: House 1: Steve Conway; House 2: Steve Kirby Ben Westlund State Assembly 30th: House 1: Mark Miloscia; House 2: Carol Gregory Attorney General: 31st: House 1: Ron Weigelt; House 2: Christopher Hurst John Kroger 32nd: House 1: Maralyn Chase; House 2: Ruth Kagi 5. Peter Buckley 27. Tobias Read 33rd: House 1: Tina L. Orwall; House 2: Dave Upthegrove Labor Commissioner: 8. Paul Holvey 28. Jeff Barker Brad Avakian 9. Arnie Roblan 29. Chuck Riley 34th: Senate: Joe McDermott 10. Jean Cowan 30. David Edwards House 1: Eileen Cody; House 2: Sharon Nelson State Senate 11. Phil Barnhart 31. Brad Witt 35th: House 1: Kathy Haigh 1. Eldon Rollins 12. Terry Beyer 33. Mitch Greenlick 36th: House 1: John Burbank; House 2: Mary Lou Dickerson 5. Joanne Verger 13. Nancy Nathanson 35. Larry Galizio 37th: House 1: Sharon Tomiko-Santos; House 2: Eric Pettigrew 16. Sara Gelser 36. Mary Nolan 14. Mark Haas 38th: House 1: John McCoy; House 2: Mike Sells 20. Richard Riggs 38. Chris Garrett 17. Suzanne Bonamici 39th: Senate: Frederick Walser; House 1: Scott Olson 21. Diane Rosenbaum 21. Brian Clem 39. Toby Forsberg 40th: Senate: Dave Quall 22. Jackie Dingfelder 22. Betty Komp 40. Dave Hunt 25. Laurie Monnes-Anderson 26. Jessica Adamson 41. Carolyn Tomei 41st: Senate: Fred Jarrett 42. Jules Koppel-Bailey House 1: Marcie Maxwell; House 2: Judy Clibborn Ballot Measures 43. Chip Shields 42nd: House 2: Kelli Linville 44. Tina Kotek 43rd: House 2: Frank Chopp 45. Michael Dembrow Measure 56: Voting Matters Yes 44th: House 1: Hans Dunshee; House 2: Liz Loomis 46. Ben Cannon Measure 57: The Better Way to Fight Crime Yes 45th: House 1: Roger Goodman; House 2: Larry Springer Measure 58: Limiting English Learning No 47. Jefferson Smith 46th: House 1: Scott White; House 2: Phyllis Kenney Measure 59: Sizemore’s Double Deduction No 48. Mike Schaufler Measure 60: Paying to the Test No 49. Nick Kahl 47th: House 1: Geoff Simpson; House 2: Pat Sullivan Measure 61: Mandatory Minimum Sentencing No 50. Greg Matthews 48th: House 1: Ross Hunter; House 2: Deb Eddy Measure 62: Diverting Lottery Funds No 51. Brent Barton 49th: Senate: Craig Pridemore 52. Suzanne Van Orman Measure 63: Bad Neighbor Building Permit No House 1: Jim Jacks; House 2: James C. Moeller Measure 64: Don’t Silence Our Voice No *limited endorsement Measure 65: Top Two Primary No Friday, October 24, 2008 WEST COAST SAILORS Page 11 McCain’s radical agenda Social Security: Obama would strengthen Talk about a shock to the system. Has anyone bothered to notice it; McCain would put retirement at risk the radical changes that John McCain and Sarah Palin are planning for the nation’s health insurance system? The campaign manager for In contrast, McCain called their families with a core level These are changes that will set in motion nothing less than the Senator John McCain has said Social Security “a disgrace” and of income during retirement, dis- dismantling of the employer-based coverage that protects most this election “is not about is- also has said if he becomes presi- ability, and early death.” American families. sues.” According to Rick Davis, dent, cuts to Social Security ben- Most striking: The 72-year- efits and raising the retirement A study coming out from scholars at Columbia, Harvard, Purdue this November is all about “per- old McCain draws a monthly age would be “on the table.” In and Michigan projects that 20 million Americans who have employ- sonalities.” Tell that to Social Security check. Like his decades in the Senate, ment-based health insurance would lose it under the McCain plan. America’s working people, as many retirees, McCain draws they suffer through home fore- McCain repeatedly has voted for $1,929 a month—more than There is nothing secret about Senator McCain’s far-reaching closures or struggle to find jobs plans that would undermine So- $23,000 a year—in Social Se- proposals, but they haven’t gotten much attention because the chatter that pay the bills. And what cial Security by diverting public curity. Unlike most retirees, in this campaign has mostly been about nonsense—lipstick, celeb- about the millions of those for funds into risky privatized ac- though, McCain married into a rities and “Drill, baby, drill!” whom Social Security will pro- counts or opening the door to multimillion-dollar fortune and, For starters, the McCain health plan would treat employer- vide the primary—or only—in- benefit cuts. In 2005, McCain thanks to his decades in the Sen- paid health benefits as income that employees would have to come to support them when they toured the country with George ate, he’s in line for a taxpayer- pay taxes on. “It means your employer is going to have to make retire? They have a right to know W. Bush to push a plan to priva- funded pension. He doesn’t need an estimate on how much the employer is paying for health where McCain stands on the is- tize Social Security. The ulti- to worry about his financial fu- insurance on your behalf, and you are going to have to pay sue—and whether, under his mately failed Bush proposal ture—but millions of retirees taxes on that money,” said Sherry Glied, an economist who plan, they would be forced to would have diverted Social Se- aren’t so lucky. They’d be dev- chairs the Department of Health Policy and Management at work long after age 65. McCain curity funds into the stock mar- astated if Social Security was Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. and Senator Barack Obama have ket—and, as we’ve seen in re- gutted through a risky Ms. Glied is one of the four scholars who have just completed laid out sharply contrasting vi- cent months, that’s a potentially privatization scheme. dangerous bet to make with re- an independent joint study of the plan. Their findings are being sions on the nation’s most suc- According to a May 2008 re- tirement funds. published on the Web site of the policy journal, Health Affairs. cessful social safety net. Obama port by the Social Security Ad- According to the study: “The McCain plan will force millions of would support and protect So- At the time, McCain’s support ministration, some 50 million Americans into the weakest segment of the private insurance sys- cial Security, while McCain of privatizing Social Security was people receive monthly Social tem-the nongroup market - where cost-sharing is high, covered would privatize it. described as misguided, mislead- Security benefits, the majority services are limited and people will lose access to benefits they Obama’s record on Social Se- ing and shameful. The Economic of whom are retired. While have now.” curity is clear. As a senator, he’s Policy Institute explained that some workers are lucky enough The net effect of the plan, the study said, “almost certainly voted against proposals that privatization would devastate a to have pensions to sustain them, will be to increase family costs for medical care.” would require deep benefit cuts. program that has been crucial to millions of retirees depend on generations of seniors. Accord- Under the McCain plan (now the McCain-Palin plan) em- He’s pledged that as president, Social Security as their primary ing to the Institute: “The Bush ployees who continue to receive employer-paid health benefits he would oppose benefit cuts or source of income. Despite dire administration’s privatization warnings by pundits and Wall would look at their pay stubs each week or each month and an increase in the retirement proposal will not “save” Social Street forecasters, the Social Se- find that additional money had been withheld to cover the taxes age. Obama also has proposed Security but will do just the op- curity program has been solvent on the value of their benefits. eliminating income taxes on millions of low- and middle-in- posite—it will erode a vital so- for 73 years and, at current lev- While there might be less money in the paycheck, that would come senior citizens, to keep cial insurance program that pro- els, will remain solvent for de- not be anything to worry about, according to Senator McCain. retirees secure. vides American workers and cades more. That’s because the government would be offering all taxpayers a refundable tax credit - $2,500 for a single worker and $5,000 per family—to be used “to help pay for your health care.” You may think this is a good move or a bad one—but it’s a Hawai’i State monumental change in the way health coverage would be provided to scores of millions of Americans. Why not more attention? AFL-CIO Endorsements The whole idea of the McCain plan is to get families out of U.S. Congress: Neil Abercrombie; Mazie Hirono employer-paid health coverage and into the health insurance mar- ketplace, where naked competition is supposed to take care of all ills. (We’re seeing in the Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, President: Barack Obama 30 – John Mizuno Big Island Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch fiascoes just how well the Vice Pres.: Joe Biden 31 – Glenn Wakai Senate unfettered marketplace has been working.) 33 – Blake Oshiro 1 – Dwight Takamine Taxing employer-paid health benefits is the first step in this tran- 34 – Mark Takai 3 – Josh Green sition, the equivalent of injecting poison into the system. It’s the 35 – Henry Aquino House beginning of the end. 36 – Roy Takumi 1 – Mark Nakashima When younger, healthier workers start seeing additional taxes 37 – Ryan Yamane 3 – Clift Tsuji taken out of their paychecks, some (perhaps many) will opt out of 38 – Marilyn Lee the employer-based plans either to buy cheaper insurance on their 4 – Faye Hanohano own or to go without coverage. 39 – Marcus Oshiro 5 – Robert Herkes That will leave employers with a pool of older, less healthy 43 – Kurt Fevella 6 - Denny Coffman workers to cover. That coverage will necessarily be more expen- 44 - Karen Awana sive, which will encourage more and more employers to give up 45 - Maile Shimabukuro on the idea of providing coverage at all. Mazie Hirono 46 – Mike Magaoay Ballot Initiatives The upshot is that many more Americans —millions more— will O’ahu 47 – Jessica Wooley Hawai’i State AFL-CIO find themselves on their own in the bewildering and often treach- 51 - Christopher Lee asks that you vote NO to pro- erous health insurance marketplace. As Senator McCain has said: Senate ceed with a Constitutional “I believe the key to real reform is to restore control over our 12 – Brickwood Galuteria Maui Convention or “CON- health care system to the patients themselves.” 17 – Ron Menor Senate CON”. Yet another radical element of McCain’s plan is his proposal to 21 – Colleen Hanabusa 5 – Roz Baker They also ask anyone who undermine state health insurance regulations by allowing consum- 22 – Bobby Bunda 6 – Kalani English resides or has relatives in the ers to buy insurance from sellers anywhere in the country. So a 23 – Clayton Hee House State of Nevada to urge them requirement in one state that insurers cover, for example, vaccina- 24 - Isaac Choy 8 – Joe Souki to register and vote Demo- tions, or annual physicals, or breast examinations, would essen- 9 – Bob Nakasone crat. tially be meaningless. In a refrain we’ve heard many times in re- House cent years, Mr. McCain said he is committed to ridding the market 17 - Amy Monk 10 – Angus McKelvey of these “needless and costly” insurance regulations. 18 – Lyla Berg 11 – Joe Bertram This entire McCain health insurance transformation is right out 19 – Mike Abe 12 – Kyle Yamashita of the right-wing Republicans’ ideological playbook: fewer regu- 21 – Scott Nishimoto 13 – Mele Carroll lations; let the market decide; and send unsophisticated consumers 22 – Scott Saiki Kaua’i into the crucible alone. 23 – Tom Brower Senate You would think that with some of the most venerable houses 25 – Della Belatti 7 – Gary Hooser on Wall Street crumbling like sand castles right before our eyes, 26 – Sylvia Luke we’d be a little wary about spreading this toxic formula even House further into the health care system. But we’re not even paying 27 – Sesnita Moepono 14 – Mina Morita 28 – Karl Rhoads 15 – James Tokioka much attention. Neil Abercrombie Source: Bob Herbert 29 – Joey Manahan 16 – Roland Sagum The New York Times Page 12 WEST COAST SAILORS Friday, October 24, 2008 California Labor Federation AFL- CIO Endorsements

State Assembly 22. Paul Fong 45. Kevin DeLeon 23. Joe Coto 46. John A. Perez 1. Wesley Chesbro 24. Jim Beall 47. Karen Bass President 21. Larry Johnson 2. Paul Singh 25. Taylor White 48. Mike Davis 22. No endorsement 3. Mickey Harrington 26. John Eisenhut 49. Mike Eng 23. Lois Capps 4. No endorsement 27. Bill Monning 50. Hector de la Torre 24. Marta Ann Jorgenson 5. Dan Leahy 28. Anna Caballero 51. Curren Price 25. Jackie Conaway 6. Jared Huffman 29. Humberto Avila 52. Isadore Hall 26. Russ Warner 7. Noreen Evans 30. Fran Florez 53. Ted Lieu 27. Brad Sherman 8. Mariko Yamada 31. Juan Arambula 54. Bonnie Lowenthal 28. Howard Berman 9. Dave Jones 32. No endorsement 55. Warren Furutani 29. Adam Schiff 10. Alyson Huber 33. Robert Cuthbert 56. Tony Mendoza Barack Obama 30. Henry Waxman 11.Tom Torlakson 34. Desmond Farrelly 57. Ed Hernandez 31. Xavier Becerra 12. Fiona Ma 35. Pedro Nava 58. Charles Calderon 32. Hilda Solis U.S. Congress 13. Tom Ammiano 36. Linda Jones 59. Don Williamson 33. Diane Watson 14. Nancy Skinner 37. Ferial Masry 60. No endorsement 34. Lucille Roybal-Allard 1. Mike Thompson 15. Joan Buchanan 38. Carole Lutness 61. Norma Torres 35. Maxine Waters 2. Jeff Morris 16. Sandre Swanson 39. Felipe Fuentes 62. Wilmer Amina Carter 36. Jane Harman 3. Bill Durston 17. Cathleen Galgiani 40. Bob Blumenfield 63. No endorsement 37. Laura Richardson 4. Charlie Brown 18. Mary Hayashi 41. Julia Brownley 64. No endorsement 38. Grace Napolitano 5. Doris Matsui 19. Jerry Hill 42. Michael Feuer 65. Carl Wood 39. Linda Sanchez 6. Lynn Woolsey 20. Alberto Torrico 43. Paul Krekorian 66. Grey Frandsen 40. Christina Avalos 7. George Miller 21. Ira Ruskin 44. Anthony Portantino 67. Steve Blount 41. No endorsement 8. Nancy Pelosi 68. Kenneth Arnold 42. Ed Chau 9. Barbara Lee 69. Jose Solorio 43. Joe Baca State Senate 10. Ellen Tauscher 70. No endorsement 44. Bill Hedrick 11. Jerry McNerney 1. Anselmo Chavez 21. Carol Liu 71. No endorsement 45. Julie Bornstein 12. Jackie Speier 3. Mark Leno 23. Fran Pavley 72. John MacMurray 46. Debbie Cook 13. Pete Stark 5. Lois Wolk 25. Rod Wright 73. Judy Jones 47. Loretta Sanchez 14. Anna Eshoo 7. Mark DeSaulnier 27. Alan Lowenthal 74. Brett Maxfield 48. Steven Young 15. Mike Honda 9. Loni Hancock 29. No endorsement 75. No endorsement 49. Robert Hamilton 16. Zoe Lofgren 11. Joe Simitian 31. No endorsement 76. Lori Saldana 50. Nick Leibham 17. Sam Farr 13. Elaine Alquist 33. Gary Pritchard 77. No endorsement 51. Bob Filner 18. Dennis Cardoza 15. No endorsement 35. Ginny Mayer 78. Marty Block 52. Mike Lumpkin 19. No endorsement 17. No endorsement 37. Arthur Bravo Guerrero 79. No endorsement 20. Jim Costa 53. No endorsement 19. Hannah Beth Jackson 39. Christine Kehoe 80. Manuel Perez California Ballot Propositions

Proposition 1A — YES tion options. It would change the state’s experts warn it would not achieve its on state coffers is carried out under the parole system and give people who have goals. It would actually slam the brakes guise of developing clean energy, but the Safe, Reliable High-Speed finished their time on parole access to re- on renewable energy development in actual language of the measure ignores Passenger Train Bond Act habilitation services, reducing the chances California, resulting in significant in- clean energy science and would give au- This proposition would authorize $9.95 they will end up back in the system. It crease in our electric bills and potentially tomatic preference to certain non-gas billion worth of bonds for a high-speed would save California taxpayers $1 bil- leading to another energy crisis. powered vehicles, like those fueled by train network that would create new jobs, lion a year, an additional $2.5 billion in Proposition 8 — NO the company backing the initiative. relieve traffic congestion and expand op- one-time costs and would help reduce the Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Proposition 11 — NO tions for mass transit. chronic overcrowding in California’s Proposition 2 — No prison system, according to a nonparti- Couples to Marry Redistricting Prop. 11 would change the way Cali- Recommendation san Legislative Analyst’s Office. Prop. 8 would rewrite the California Proposition 6 — NO Constitution and overturn current law in fornia draws the boundaries for its legis- Standards for Confining Farm order to allow discrimination against in- lative district, taking the responsibility Animals Police and Law Enforcement dividuals seeking to marry someone of away from elected officials and giving it Proposition 3 — No Funding Criminal Penalties and the same sex. to an unaccountable panel of commission- Recommendation Laws Proposition 9 — NO ers. This new plan would give equal sway in the redistricting process to both major Children’s Hospital Bond Act This is a misguided measure that would Criminal Justice System. dramatically ramp up prison and crimi- political parties, regardless of the differ- Grant Program Victims’ Rights. Parole. nal justice funding, significantly increase ence in their voter registration numbers. Prop. 9 would tilt the scales of the Proposition 4 — NO prison sentences for certain crimes and It would allow the minority party to veto criminal justice system by imposing dra- any new redistricting plan, creating an- Waiting Period and Parental worsen our state budget crisis. The non- conian restrictions on offenders, making other dysfunctional system like the state Notification Before Termination partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office es- timates that Prop. 6 would cost the state some inmates wait up to 15 years be- budget process that would allow those in of Minor’s Pregnancy at least $500 million a year, plus another tween parole hearings and taking away the minority to extract unreasonable con- Everyone wants parents and teenagers $500 million in one-time costs, an auto- the right to state-provided counsel from cessions from those in the majority. some parolees. This measure could cause to have good communication, but trying matic increase for inflation, and unknown Proposition 12 — YES to legislate that won’t help teens facing costs to cities and counties. These costs serious state budget problems in future bad family situations and hard choices. would all be added on top of California’s years by restricting the state’s ability to Veterans’ Bond Act of 2008 Prop. 4 would endanger pregnant teen- massive budget deficit because Prop. 6 alter prison sentences. Prop. 9 would do Since the end of World War I, Califor- agers by requiring doctors to notify their includes no way to fund any of them. nothing to address the underlying prob- nia voters approved bonds to make low- lems that result in crime. interest home and farm loans available parents 48 hours in advance of terminat- Proposition 7 — NO ing a pregnancy. Proposition 10 — NO to veterans through the Cal-Vet program. Renewable Energy Generation Prop. 12 is the most recent refunding of Proposition 5 — YES Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Prop. 7 would make sweeping changes this program, made necessary by the re- Nonviolent Drug Offenses. to the way California regulates energy Renewable Energy cent federal expansion of veterans eligible Sentencing. Parole and providers and the accountability they Prop. 10 is an attempt by one corpora- for the program. Vets receiving loans Rehabilitation have toward meeting clean energy pro- tion, founded by a Texas oil tycoon, to through the program would pay back both Prop. 5 would give nonviolent offend- duction goals. It is so poorly drafted that use up to $5 billion of state bond money the principle and the interest on the bonds, ers more drug treatment and rehabilita- renewable energy and environmental for its own benefit. This outrageous raid resulting in no new costs to the state.