Volume 62, Number 12 December 2000 Single-Occupancy of approximately 1oo single-occupancy dormitory rooms at the Dl~ftfJfJd Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, located in Piney ,11_.,m DlJiftmS IJV• ~ Di U 1 rlu1 Point, Md. The artist's sketch above shows what the building (situated For Paul Hall Center behind the library) is expected to look like upon completion. Page 3. Seafarers To Crew USNS Impeccable The U.S. Military Sealift Command last month ceremonially launched its newest ocean surveillance vessel, the SIU­ crewed USNS Impeccable. Finishing touches are being applied to the 281- foot vessel at Halter Marine Shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. Page 4. New Tug-Barge Union Members President Signs NY Waterway Joins Express Vote in Record Bill for Mariner Crews Approve Marine Fleet Numbers Tax Relief New Contract _____ Page4 _____ Page3 _____ Page2 _____ Page 24 Beck Notice Page6 President's Report Law Intends Mariner Tax Relief President Clinton early last month signed into and tugboat workers and others who work aboard Electlon Day Lessons law the bipartisan Transportation Worker Tax vessels are often subjected to filing and tax require­ Fairness Act, a measure aimed at providing "equi­ ments by states other than their state of residence, As the presidential election dragged on, countless news reports table treatment with respect to state and local leading to possible double taxation. I do not believe detailed the legal twists and turns that seemingly changed by the income taxes for certain individuals who perform that double taxation is what Congress had intended hour. duties on vessels." for any transportation worker when it crafted the Along the way, the nation got a refresher course in the elec­ The law took effect Nov. 9. It amends Chapter Interstate Commerce Act." toral college. In fact, media surveys revealed that a sizeable num­ 111 of the United States Code, Title 46. He pointed out that the Interstate Commerce Act ber of Americans weren't even aware that the U.S. utilizes elec­ The legislation stipulates that pilots and other exempts truck drivers, airline pilots and railroad toral votes, rather than the "popular" count, to determine the pres­ mariners ''who perform regularly assigned duties employees from being taxed by state and local juris­ while engaged as a master, officer or crewman on a dictions in which they don't reside. idency. vessel operating on the navigable waters of more Senator Slade Gorton (R-Wash.), who along with It's a riveting and historic story, one that stirred up innumer­ than one State" shall be subject to state income tax Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) introduced S. 893, able emotions and opinions even as Election Day gave way to only in his or her residential state. stated that the legislation "will rectify this situation Thanksgiving. In successfully requesting unanimous consent for by extending the same tax treatment to personnel Yet, I hope that the complexities surrounding the Florida the Senate version of the Transportation Worker Tax who work on the navigable waters of more than one recount didn't obscure what is perhaps the most important lesson Fairness Act (S. 893), Senator John McCain (R­ state." we all should have learned from this episode: Every vote counts. Ariz.) on Sept. 28 stated, "Under existing law, water Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) had introduced a Set aside for a moment all of the legal wrangling-not to men­ transportation workers, including marine pilots, tow companion bill in the House in March 1999. tion all of those comedic, pretend ballots that probably showed up at some point on your fax machine or email! SIU Pensioners to Get $500 Year-End Bonus The power of a single vote is highlighted by the fact that Florida law mandated the initial recount precisely because the Eligible SIU pensioners will many years. bonus or the pension plan in gen­ tally was so close. If enough supporters of either leading candi­ receive a year-end bonus check The board of trustees, com­ eral may be obtained by contact­ date had voted, then the election would have been determined of $500 this month. The posed of representatives from the ing any union hall or by calling a SIU and its contracted compa­ plan representative at 1-800- without all the prolonged activities after November 7. Seafarers Pension Plan Board of Trustees recently approved the nies, decided to issue the bonus CLAIMS4. Members and pen­ Every vote counts. Your vote counts. payment after union representa­ after reviewing the plan's suc­ sioners also may write to the plan That's a lesson that all Seafarers should take to heart, whether tives to the group recommended cessful investment performance. at 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, it's for a local, state or national election or for an SIU election the bonus. More information about the MD 20746. like the one currently under way. Don't sit on the sidelines in any This bonus check will be sent election and let other voices be heard while you remain silent. to all SIU pensioners who cur­ ':/Please be advised that SIU headquarters and.. all SIU Don't assume that your single vote can't make a difference. rently receive monthly benefit hiring Study the issues, study the candidates and cast your votes. checks for normal, early normal ~s .Vfil:}t>e,.~ · · .;~qay, Jan .. : ;(~~.fJit;-ObSer· We work in a heavily regulated industry. Our day-to-day func­ or disability pensions from the tions and our long-range survival continually will be affected by Seafarers Pension Plan. politicians and the people they appoint. The trustees also authorized It may be something as routine as upgrading your rating, or the plan administrator to issue the something as historic as the construction of new U.S.-flag cruise January pension checks in ~~~:f.~ii December, as has been done for ships and tankers. In every case, the opportunities for growth are tied to politics, one way or another. Similarly, the Sill's direction starts with you, the individual Solidarity With OPEIU member. You elect officials to lead the way in strengthening our union. You decide the outcome of proposed constitutional amend­ ments such as those on the current SIU ballot. It must have been a sickening feeling for the people in Florida who wanted a particular presidential candidate to win, yet failed to vote. They probably realized too late that they could have had a positive impact, not only by voting but also by encouraging others to vote. Whomever you support in the SIU election, and however you stand on the proposed amendments, I urge you not to repeat their mistake of remaining silent. For the future of your union, cast your votes and encourage your fellow members to do the same. Season's Greetings For many, the holiday season is a reflective time. Looking back on the past year, I am especially grateful for the steady profes­ sionalism exhibited by SIU crews in our deep sea, Great Lakes and inland fleets. Your reliable work and your outstanding reputa­ tion helped pave the way for the union's continued advancement. I also want to say a special thanks to the staff at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. Between the open­ ings of the new simulator building at Piney Point and the new Seafarers rallied Oct. 15 in Garden City, N.Y. with striking members of the Office and Professional safety school in Hawaii, plus the surge of training required for Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153 who are employed at Adelphi University. The OPEIU members' job action began in mid-September. The key issues included health care premiums, wages mariners in the initial crewing of U.S. Lines' cruise ship Patriot, and pension benefits. Pictured above, from left, are AB William Rackley, SIU VP Atlantic Coast Jack they have had their hands full. And they've done a great job. Caffey, OPEIU President Michael Goodwin, AB Edwin Ortega and Recertified Bosun Gus Koutouras. My thanks also goes to the staff of the Seafarers LOG. They Below, Local 153 members demonstrate in the rain. are a dedicated group and they put out a good product, month after month. Finally, I offer warm wishes to all Seafarers and their families for a safe, happy holiday season. Volume 62, Number 12 December 2000 The SIU on line: www.seafarers.org The Seafarers LOG (ISSN 1086-4636) is published month­ ly by the Seafarers International Union; Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District; AFL-CIO; 5201 Auth Way; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone (301) 899- 0675. Periodicals postage paid at Southern Maryland 20790-9998 and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way Camp Springs, MD 20746. Communications Director, Jordan Biscardo; Managing Editor/Production, Deborah A. Hirtes; Associate Editor, Jim Guthrie; Art. Bill Brower; Administrative Support, Jeanne Textor. Copyright © 2000 Seafarers International Union, AGLIWD All Rights Reseived. 2 Seafarers LOB December 2aaa Single-Occupancy Rooms Planned for Paul Hall Center Other Improvements Okayed for School As vocational schooling becomes the latter project, expected to last about increasingly vital for Seafarers, the Paul eight months. Hall Center for Maritime Training and The estimated completion date for the Education continues improving its curricu­ new rooms and renovated hotel rooms is lums and its facilities. not yet known. Nevertheless, Seafarers at The latest major announcement from SIU halls around the nation look forward the Piney Point, Md. school came last to the upgrade. month during SIU membership meetings "It'll be a phenomenal improvement," throughout the country. Namely, the Paul said QMED Tyler Harden in Mobile, Ala.