In This Issue: Productive partnership holds dues line, keeps AMO prosperous — Page 2 STAR Center ‘phase 1’ reopening set for June 1; limited campus access — Page 6 Volume 50, Number 5 May 2020 Sailing safe aboard the USNS Able Members of American Maritime Officers working aboard the USNS Able in April included Captain Phillip Thrift and Third Mate Ryan Trabert. With them is AB Chris Perry. Photos courtesy of Captain Phillip Thrift The USNS Able is operated for Military Sealift Command Working aboard the USNS Able in April were AB Chris Perry, Third Mate Ryan Trabert, Captain Phillip Thrift, MDR by Crowley Liner Services and is manned in all licensed Diamond Anderson and Second Mate Pavel Gorodnichin. positions by AMO. Labor, industry form Wisconsin Domestic Maritime Coalition Thriving Jones Act sector produces $2.2 billion annually for Badger State’s economy Business and labor leaders from around tween U.S. points is reserved for U.S. -built, economy,” said James Weakley, president the Badger State stood up the Wisconsin -owned, -crewed and -documented vessels. of Lake Carriers’ Association. Domestic Maritime Coalition (WIDMAC) as The new coalition will educate state “The state of Wisconsin is a the voice of the domestic maritime industry leaders, media, and policy makers on the leader in the domestic maritime industry, in Wisconsin. The coalition, composed of importance of this vibrant, growing indus- supporting over 9,000 family-wage jobs leading Wisconsin employers and unions, try, fighting for the nearly 10,000 domestic and contributing over $2.2 billion to the launched with an announcement of 41 per- maritime workers in the state, who contin- economy,” said James L. Henry, chair- cent growth of domestic maritime industry ue to keep America’s supply chain moving man and president of the Transporta- jobs in Wisconsin. These jobs are critical forward in a safe and efficient manner. tion Institute. “The findings in our most to the state’s supply chain, enabling the recent study and growing impacts in delivery of vital resources and supplies that Maritime Leaders Recognize the “The Jones Act serves legitimate Wisconsin demonstrate the strength and businesses and citizens need during the Economic Impact of the Jones Act: and lasting economic, national security necessity of the Jones Act.” COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s a fact — the Jones Act is a jobs and homeland security interests at no cost “These numbers show how the Jones According to the findings of a new creator and economic driver for Wisconsin,” to the federal or state governments. This Act is crucial to not only national security report conducted by PricewaterhouseCoo- said Michael Gerhardt, president of WID- venerable law stands on its own merit,” but also economic security and job growth. pers (PwC) on behalf of the Transportation MAC and vice president of the Dredging said American Maritime Officers (AMO) We’re proud to see the domestic maritime Institute (TI), Wisconsin ranks among Contractors of America. “Shipyards alone National President Paul Doell. industry’s investments in Wisconsin lead to the top twenty states in the nation for account for more than 8,000 jobs and “Great Lakes vessels carry the raw job growth like this,” said Michael Roberts, the number of domestic maritime jobs, $437.2 million in worker income, having de- materials that drive the nation’s econo- president of the American Maritime employing 9,670 individuals and generating livered over 1,800 American-made vessels my. Our lakers are crucial to keeping the Partnership. over $635.3 million in worker income. This for the U.S. government and private sector, American economy running, and maritime Thanks to the Jones Act, the thriving industry produces $2.2 billion an- including over 60 dredges. Deep-draft workers across Wisconsin have stepped domestic maritime industry now employs nually for the Wisconsin economy — an 88 commercial ports and small recreational up to meet demand during the COVID-19 approximately 650,000 Americans across percent increase since the previous study harbors are dredged and kept open by pandemic. Our ships are made and main- all 50 states, creates $41 billion in labor was completed. second and third-generation family-owned, tained in Wisconsin shipyards and move income for American workers, and adds The backbone of the domestic mari- entrepreneurial U.S. companies, enabling iron ore, grain, and coal from Wisconsin more than $154.8 billion in annual economic time industry is the Jones Act, serving as a domestic shipping companies to move ports and deliver salt, cement, stone, and output each year. Nationally, there are pillar of economic strength and job creation millions of tons of cargo each year, which fuel to Wisconsin docks. With many of our more than 40,000 American vessels — built for Wisconsin. Specifically, this law states boosts local economies and strengthens sailors living in Wisconsin, we proudly stand that the transportation of merchandise be- the overall health of the state.” up for this vibrant, all-American maritime WIDMAC — Continued on Page 3 PagePage 8:11: New STAR Safety Center and courseEducation schedule Plan Course for Schedule ‘phase 1’ and reopening Updates Copyright © 2020 American Maritime Officers H [email protected] 2 May 2020 approach the point where we can reduce our membership dues rates. Productive partnership holds dues line, Sound management of AMO assets is the result of what I refer to as a productive keeps AMO prosperous partnership between the seagoing AMO membership and the careful spending poli- cies of this administration. Many deep-sea, All deep-sea, was well worth it. proportionate accompanying savings in em- Great Lakes and inland waters AMO mem- Great Lakes and AMO members and applicants who ployee benefits in the first quarter of 2015. bers are paying dues directly to the union inland waters had paid dues from January 1 through As a result, all but six months since by check, by credit card or online. Many are AMO members April 30, through the second quarter the second quarter of 2015 have ended with paying dues through authorized deductions are encouraged (April-June) or through December 2020 accumulating operating budget surplus- from AMO Vacation Plan benefits. to make timely will have a one-month credit applied to es — the total surplus in 2019 alone was in But we still have a number of AMO dues payments their financial obligations to AMO in 2021. excess of $1 million. members behind in dues payments — in- beginning May 1 This dues credit will be applied to the most AMO is now in its sixth consecutive cluding many deficient for a year or longer. to maintain “good recent unpaid quarter for each member, in year without a membership dues increase This is a matter of both principle and standing” and help 2019 or 2020, depending upon the mem- or an increase in applicant initiation fees, fairness. We cannot have AMO members in our union remain prosperous. ber’s payment status. and AMO membership dues rates remain “good standing” working alongside individ- All applicants for AMO membership Some AMO members misinterpreted the lowest among the three U.S. merchant uals seriously delinquent in their financial are encouraged as well to keep current with this attempt at breathing room as a waiver marine officers’ unions. obligations. We will contact individuals in their initiation fee and dues payments. of the dues requirement for one complete Our union has a healthy cash reserve, significant debt, and we will apply appropri- This reminder follows a modest quarter or more. But, because this kind and we have defied past practice by letting ate penalties when necessary. initiative that essentially made April 2020 of relief measure had never been applied the AMO investment accounts grow, instead Membership dues and applicant a dues-free month. The intent here was to before, we had to be both helpful and of tapping these accounts routinely to meet initiation fees are AMO’s principal source of put some extra cash in the pockets of AMO responsible. payroll or to pay the monthly bills. operating revenue. We have done extremely members to meet emergency needs at the AMO has lived within its means since While we now have to monitor the well together in keeping AMO in the black, outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic — for January 2015, and this administration has potentially harmful economic impact of but we can do even better — for each other personal use, or to help a suddenly unem- focused routinely on cost containment — the COVID-19 crisis on our union — the and for everyone in AMO. ployed relative or friend make a mortgage, beginning with payroll reductions amounting potential for widespread layup of vessels Thank you. rent, car or utility bill payment. If this to immediate savings of about $500,000 a from weak demand for their cargoes and unprecedented effort under unprecedented year through attrition and pay cuts for AMO the consequent loss of jobs and of employ- Paul Doell circumstances helped but one AMO family, it officials. This figure does not reflect the er contributions to AMO Plans — we may May 1, 2020 AMO aboard the M/V Endurance Members of American Maritime Officers working aboard the M/V Endurance in April, here in Sabine Pass while awaiting orders, included Second Assistant Engineer Dylan Pasol, Third A.E. Michael Adduci, First A.E. Kyle Connolly, Chief Engineer Jacob Anderson, Captain Morgan Dailey, Chief Mate Michael DeBlasio, Third Mate Dean Lynch, Second Mate Brian Roche and Third Mate Nicholas Stacy. At the time, the Endurance had been at anchor for an extended period during efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus as government-impelled cargo movements slowed temporarily, and in some cases stopped, leaving some U.S.- flagged vessels idled.