Official Organ of the Sailors' Union of the Pacific

Volume LXIV No. 3 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA Friday, March 30, 2001

Organized 1885

Second class postage paid at S

an Francisco, C

A (U

SP

S 675-180)

116th Anniversary

Good FridayIn accordance with past prac-

tice and the collective bargain-ing agreements with AmericanShip Management and MatsonNavigation Company, all SUPhalls will close at noon on Fri-day, April 13, in observance ofGood Friday.

President Bush’s proposedmaritime budget draws fire

The Bush Administration’sproposed budget for fiscal

year 2002 would severely ham-per the development of the U.S.Merchant Marine.

According to the Office ofManagement and Budget’s Blue-print for New Beginnings, anabridged version of theAdministration’s budget request,the Maritime Administrationwould be eliminated, the Mari-time Security Program would betransferred to the Department ofDefense and funding of the TitleXI Ship Loan Guarantee Pro-gram would be eliminated.

In addition to transferring theMaritime Security Program(MSP), the Bush Blueprint doesnot suggest a funding figure forthat vital and necessary pro-gram that maintains a fleet of47 militarily useful U.S.-flagships in the international trades.

President Bush’s plan totransfer the administration ofthe MSP has not been em-braced either by the Depart-ment of Defense or Transpor-tation. The Journal of Com-merce reported this month thatDefense and the U.S. Transpor-tation Command is not en-thused with the idea. Critics ofthe proposal say that takingMSP away from MarAd wouldjeopardize future reauthorizationof the program.

The SUP along with othersin maritime labor, has voicedits strong opposition to thesetentative budget proposals tothe Bush Administration andmembers of Congress. Indus-try-wide opposition is expectedif the Administration’s propos-als are incorporated in the fi-nal several thousand page bud-get request expected to be re-leased on April 3.

Maritime observers indicatethat the Office of Managementand Budget proposals have notbeen fully discussed by policy-level officials in the Bush Ad-ministration. Those who careabout the fate of U.S.-flag ship-ping still have reason to be con-

fident that the new Administra-tion is more friend than foe.Bush’s Chief of Staff, AndrewCard, is a former Secretary ofTransportation and was very sup-portive of maritime in the admin-istration of the first PresidentBush. Current TransportationSecretary Norman Mineta was astrong backer of the maritime in-dustry when he was in Congress.

In fact, last week Mineta af-firmed the Bush Administration’ssupport for the Jones Act andother cargo preference statutes.“The Jones Act is an essential el-ement of the U.S. maritime policythat provides important economicand national security benefits tothe nation, such as support of theU.S. shipbuilding and ship repairindustries, and maintenance of alabor base of skilled Americanmariners,” stated Mineta.

Phil Grill, Chairman of the Mari-time Cabotage Task Force (ofwhich the SUP is a member)thanked the Administration for itscontinued commitment to a U.S.-flag fleet in domestic waterborne

Administration supports Jones Act and cargo preference

commerce. “The Bush Adminis-tration understands the importanceof a healthy U.S.-flag domesticfleet, both in terms of the nation’seconomic well-being and its na-tional defense capabilities.America’s Jones Act fleet is soefficient it transports nearly onefourth of the nation’s domesticcargo for only two percent of thefreight bill. Jones Act vessels alsoprovide nearly 90 percent of thejobs available to American mari-ners. In times of crisis, Jones Actships play a vital role in deliver-ing equipment and supplies toU.S. military forces overseas andprovide additional sailors to crewthe U.S. Government’s ownsealift ships activated from reserveor reduced operating status. Aslong as America maintains theJones Act as the foundation of theU.S. maritime policy, U.S.-flagvessel operators will efficientlymeet the needs of waterbornecommerce while sustaining themaritime infrastructure that con-tributes so significantly to ournational defense capabilities.”

Former Honolulu AgentPeter Oh dies

Peter C.H. Oh, Hono-lulu Branch Agent of theSUP from 1988-2000, diedon March 9, after a longillness.

Born in Hawaii on Feb-ruary 12, 1928, BrotherOh joined the SUP in 1950and sailed in all unlicenseddeck ratings before beingelected Branch Agent in1988. He was respected byhis shipmates both at seaand ashore.

Memorial services wereheld on March 17, and inaccordance with his wishes, his ashes were scattered at sea.

Peter is survived by his wife Daisy Sutter; daughters DianaOh and Natalie Winslow; son Anthony Jeffrey; stepson ArthurGarrett; Stepdaughter, Mia Sutter; three grandchildren; broth-ers Peter and Daniel; and sisters, Mary and Esther. The fam-ily requests that memorial donations be made to the Ameri-can Cancer Society.

Aloha, Pete — you'll be missed. Steady as she goes.

The Sailors’ Union of the Pacific this month observed the 116thAnniversary of its founding, March 6, 1885, on the San Fran-

cisco waterfront. With determination to gain through collectiveaction what could not be accomplished individually began a recordof struggle and achievement that set the standard for Americansailors and serves as an inspiration for seafarers around the world.

“Sailors’ month” also marks the birthdays of two of the Union’slegendary leaders —Andrew Furuseth (March 12, 1854) andHarry Lundeberg as well as the enactment of the Seamen’s Acton March 15, 1915.

This year is particularly noteworthy as it is the centennial of thebirth of Harry Lundeberg.

Born in Christiana (Oslo), Norway, on March 25, 1901, Harrysailed under nine different flags in both sail and steam before trans-ferring from the Federated Seamen’s Union of Australasia to theSUP in 1923. He was elected patrolman in Seattle in 1934, andtook a leadership role in the great maritime strike of that year. Hewas elected president of the Maritime Federation of the Pacific in1935, secretary-treasurer of the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific in1936, a vice president of the California Labor Federation in 1938,the first president of the Seafarers’ International Union of NorthAmerica, also in 1938, and president of the Maritime Trades De-

partment in 1955..Under Harry’s leadership, the

SUP gained recognition and re-spect. He fought every attempt bythe shipowners, the government,and Stalinist elements on the wa-terfront to break the Union whileat the same time significantly im-proving the conditions of thosewho go to sea for a living.

A centennial retrospective onHarry’s life begins on Page 7.

Harry Lundeberg Centennial Tribute: Page 7-14 ESU News: Page 16-17

Page 2 WEST COAST SAILORS Friday, March 30, 2001

SUP Honor RollVoluntary contributions from the membership to the following funds:

OrOrOrOrOrggggganizaanizaanizaanizaanization/tion/tion/tion/tion/GenerGenerGenerGenerGeneral Fundal Fundal Fundal Fundal Fund

PPPPPolitical Fundolitical Fundolitical Fundolitical Fundolitical Fund

WWWWWest Coastest Coastest Coastest Coastest CoastSailorSailorSailorSailorSailorsssss

Archie Aki Book #3791John Battles Book #5512Roy R. Camerio Book #4577Richard Cummings Book #4666Knud Jensen Book #3940John Jewett Book #4291Alfred Kerns Book #3167Kaj E. Kristensen Book #3120Gunnar Larsen Book #3516

Dues-Paying Pensioners

Wall of Honor(San Pedro Merchant

Marine Memorial)

Published monthly by the Sailors Union ofthe 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. Second class postage paid at San Fran-cisco. (USPS 675-180). Printed by HowardQuinn Co., a Union shop.

Gunnar Lundeberg,President/Secretary-Treasurer

Teresa Anibale, Editor

BRANCH OFFICESSeattle, WA 98134

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Brrrrr — Winter in the North Pacific

The foredeck of the m/v President Polk sheathed in ice in February enroute fromDutch Harbor, Alaska to Yokohama, Japan.

Hoover Chun’sFinal Voyage

This Sunday evening (March 4,2001) in the fading light of the doneday, shortly after the sun set over amoderate Pacific Ocean, we scatteredthe ashes of Mr. Hoover Chun over thewaters near the stern of the cargo ships/s Lurline. The vessel was in position27-02 N 144-03 W, which is approxi-mately 840 miles ENE of Honoluluharbor. Time was 6:05 P.M., + 9 ZT.

The Captain read Psalm 23 from thebible, and added some remarks inhonor of this man who was a sailingmember of the SUP. Fourteen crewmembers were present, including theBosun Jerry AhSam, who knew Hooverpersonally. We offered our prayers andcondolences to his family, relatives, andfriends. Jerry also said a few wordsabout Hoover for the benefit of all thosepresent, then we had a few momentsof silence in prayer for Mr. Chun.

Jerry had the honor of spreadingHoover's ashes over the waters belowthe stern rail, as several crew membersthrew flowered leis into the foamingwake of the ship. May he rest in peace.

With respect,Captain B. Rowland

s/s Lurline Voyage 453

Tom George .........................100.00Daniel Gonzales ...................100.00Martin Mortensen .................50.00

Doug Ahuna...........................10.00Joseph Campos ....................100.00Randy Coady .......................100.00Mike Dirksen .........................20.00Michael Duvall ......................20.00Robert Garcia........................10.00Marvin Glasgow ....................70.00Michael Henneberry, in memory of Red Henneberry .............20.00Hans Jorgensen .....................50.00Norman Kurtz .......................10.00Mark Lafayette ......................10.00Ernesto Legarte .....................20.00Peter Leo ................................50.00Brian LePrevost .....................20.00Gunnar Lundeberg ...............25.00Mike McLavy ........................50.00Reynold Minoli ......................10.00Martin Mortensen .................50.00Harry Naeole .........................20.00Vince O’Halloran ................100.00Michael Parenteau ................20.00Eric Partika ...........................40.00John Peterson ........................40.00Milburn Pond ........................35.00Gregory Schauf .....................20.00Dave Shands ..........................20.00Augusto Silva .........................70.00Grant Wegger ........................20.00

Don Bohle ..............................25.00John Diaz ...............................10.00Don Kruse ..............................20.00Peter Leo ................................50.00Joe McDonald .......................10.00Remiro Montoya....................30.00Martin Mortensen .................50.00Harry Naeole .........................20.00Milburn Pond ........................35.00Ivar Thorbjornsen ................20.00

Gerald Allen ..........................50.00Bob Bacon ..............................50.00Pete Bragg ..............................20.00Thomas Casynn ...................100.00O. Cochrane ...........................10.00Michael Crehan .....................20.00Richard Donner ....................25.00James Fernandes ...................25.00William Fisher .......................10.00Norman Kurtz .......................20.00George Lomeli .......................25.00Juan Magana .........................20.00John McNeill .........................20.00Jack Milano ...........................20.00Reynold Minoli ......................10.00Edouard Parlier ....................30.00John Perez..............................20.00Joseph Piscopo ......................25.00Richard Reed .........................20.00Richard Walsh .......................15.00Chester Williams ...................20.00Carl Ziegeler .........................20.00

Peter Paul Liptay Book #3725Frank Parks Book #3798John Perez Book #3810Charles Rafael Book #3141Ralph Senter Book #7323Kai Sorensen Book #7479William Tice Book #3239Charles H. Wall Book #3420

Final DeparturesRobert E. Nyhan, Book No. 2454.

Born in New York in 1922. Joined SUPin 1952. Died in San Francisco, Califor-nia, February 11, 2001. (Pensioner)

Hans Randrup, Book No. 3088. Bornin Denmark in 1908. Joined SUP in 1942.Died in San Francisco, California, Feb-ruary 14, 2001. (Pensioner)

William G. Adams, Book No. 3776.Born in California in 1925. Joined SUPin 1951. Died in Concord, California,February 27, 2001. (Pensioner)

Francis W. Littlewood, Book No.3216. Born in Canada in 1908. JoinedSUP in 1926. Died in South San Fran-cisco, California, February 21, 2001.(Pensioner)

Willard D. Johnson, Book No. 4113.Born in Washington in 1927. Joined SUPin 1943. Died in New Orleans, Louisi-ana, February 6, 1943. (Pensioner)

Lloyd A. Alsgaard, Book 3781. Bornin Canada in 1937. Joined SUP in 1965.Died in Las Vegas, Nevada, December31, 2000. (Pensioner)

Iron Workers charge Shanghai-basedcompany of violating immigration law

Those oversized cranes sent from Chinain January are being constructed and in-stalled at the Port of Oakland by Chinesenationals under “appalling, even deadly”safety conditions, for wages of between$3 and $10 per day, in violation of U.S.immigration law, according to lawsuitsfiled by the Iron Workers Union. “There’sabsolutely no excuse of this kind of bla-tant and illegal exploitation,” said Rich-ard Zampa, President of the Iron Work-ers California District Council. “This isabout basic human decency as much asit is about violations of U.S. labor stan-dards or labor rights. And the Port shouldnot be permitting this to happen.”

The Iron Workers filed charges inAlameda County Superior Court charg-ing that Shanghai-based Zhenhua PortMachinery Co., (ZPMC) has forced itsemployees to work without guardrails andsafety shields. Gas systems used for weld-ing and cutting are allegedly being oper-

ated without appropriate safeguards.These are criminal violations of the Cali-fornia Labor Code.

The suit also charges that ZPMC’swages ($3 per day for apprentices, $10for journeymen) violate state prevailingwage and minimum wage laws. Thecompany’s alleged failure to pay overtimeand holiday rates, along with failure toprovide Workers’ Compensation insur-ance, violate the California Labor Code.

The Port of Long Beach is sending aletter to ZPMC saying that when the com-pany delivers the port’s 10 new cranesnext year, the port expects it to obey allprevailing wage, safety and immigrationregulations.

Support theSailors’

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Friday, March 30, 2001 WEST COAST SAILORS Page 3

Chipping, painting farmed-out by U.S.Navy: worked deemed “tedious”

SUP on deck inUSNS Mendonca

The USNS Mendonca went on sea-trial last week after formally beingdelivered to the Military Sealift Com-mand (MSC) at Avondale Shipyard inNew Orleans on January 30.

Operated by Patriot Contract Servicesfor MSC, Mendonca is the seventhLarge Medium Speed Roll-On/Roll-Off(LMSR) delivered to Patriot since it wasawarded the operating contract in July1999. The other LMSRs crewed by theSUP on deck are the USNS Fisher,USNS Seay, USNS Shugart, USNS Gor-don, USNS Yano, USNS Soderman andUSNS Gilliland.

Three more LMSRs, USNS Pililaau,USNS Brittin and a yet unnamed ves-sel are being built and are due to beunderway within the year.

The Mendonca, like the otherLMSRs, carries a crew of 30 in FullOperating Status and 12 in ReducedOperating Status. Specialized, MSC-re-

quired training is required of all handswho sail these ships.

Like all other vessels in the LMSRprogram except USNS Fisher, Mendoncais named for a Medal of Honor recipi-ent. U.S. Army Sergeant LeRoy A.Mendonca, at age 19, was killed in ac-tion in Korea in 1951. According toMSC, “Sergeant Mendonca’s platoonwas attacked at night by an overwhelm-ing enemy force. He voluntarily re-mained exposed to the enemy fire whilehis platoon withdrew, firing his weaponand hurling grenades into enemy posi-tions. His ammunition eventually ex-hausted, Sergeant Mendonca fought theenemy in hand-to-hand combat with hisbayonet until he was mortally wounded.A report credits Mendonca with an as-tounding 37 enemy casualties.”

The USNS Mendonca and her sis-ter LMSRs will carry gear for thisU.S. Army.

APL parent NOL posts record profitThis month Neptune Orient Lines, the parent company of American President

Lines Ltd., reported record profits of $178 million in 2000, up from $49 million in1999. The 2000 results are the more impressive considering that the 1999 resultsincluded a $66 million, nonrecurring profit, largely from the sale of APL’s double-stack train operations in the United States.

Flemming Jacobs, NOL’s chief executive, told the Journal of Commerce that theresults showed the company had regained health, allowing management to build onits strong container business and focus on growth in its logistics business.

SUP-contracted American Ship Management operates nine APL vessels underthe Maritime Security Program (four C-11s and five C-10s) plus two vessels (Presi-dents Grant and Wilson) that are not covered by the program.

MarAd extends VISA for another two yearsThe Maritime Administration has published a notice in the Federal Register, Feb-

ruary 20, extending the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) for anothertwo years until February 13, 2003, pursuant to the provision of the Defense Produc-tion Act of 1950, as amended. The VISA program is the principal commercial sealiftreadiness program of the Department of Defense and is sponsored by MarAd.

Its purpose is to make intermodal shipping services, intermodal equipment andrelated management service available to the Department of Transportation as re-quired for emergency deployment and sustainment of U.S. military forces.

Alaska oil bill would benefit U.S.maritime industry

Alaska targets cruiseship waste

British unions urge parliament toact on port safety and pilotage

British maritime unions told a committee of the House of Commons that “urgentaction” is now needed to stem escalating injuries in United Kingdom ports and harbors.

Union representatives blamed deregulation for a decline in safety standards overthe past 20 years. Numast, the union representing British officers, said that injurylevels on the waterfront are now four times higher than in other industries and evenexceed those in the hazardous deep coal mining sector.

Pilotage Exemption Certificates also came under scrutiny with Union representa-tives claiming that certificates were regularly issued to people with insufficient ex-perience of English language skills.

The unions called for a beefed-up UK port state control to tackle “overwhelmingevidence of serious safety problems on a significant proportion of the foreign shippingusing British waters (around 70 percent of the ships found to have defects and aroundseven percent unseaworthy).”

Irish ferry with foreign crew failssafety drill — sailings canceled

Over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, the crew of the Swansea Cork Ferry Company’sCity of Cork underwent intensive safety training after failing drills conducted byIreland’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Swansea Cork was forced to cancel allsailings.

The City of Cork was formerly the St. Patrick II, owned by Irish Ferries. She wasbought by Hellenic Lines and refurbished before chartered to Swansea Cork.

While Irish nationals comprise the “hotel” crew, the deck and engine crew andofficers are Greek and Polish.

Karaoke pub sings a naughty tuneA man who literally offered “sun, sea

and sex” has been jailed for running abrothel on a Singapore operated cruiseship.

Tan Peng Kee, was jailed for 30 monthsby a Singapore Court for running a brothelat the suggestively named Pinky Pub, onboard the cruiseship, Amusement World,operated by New Century Cruise Lines.

The Bahamas-registered ship wasraided by police December 26 at theSingapore Cruise Center, resulting in theclosing of the Pinky Pub.

Mr. Tan employed women from Thai-land, Vietnam and China to work as pros-

titutes in the karaoke pub.The women were reportedly tricked

into working as prostitutes having beenpromised a glamourous life as waitresseson a cruise ship.

New Century said it did not know Mr.Tan was running a brothel onboard the shiphaving given him and his partner the con-cession “to run Pinky Pub as a karaokelounge with good, clean entertainment. Asfar as the company is concerned, we hadno idea about the vice activities going ononboard the ship until the police raided theplan on December 26,” the company said.

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Senator Frank Murkowski’s (R-AK) bidto lessen U.S. dependence on foreign oilwould provide benefits for the maritimeindustry. Provisions spread over twonewly introduced bills in the Senate:S.388 and S.389, propose a broadeningof tax benefits to include U.S.-built drill-ing vessels; various modifications ofMarAd’s capital construction fund pro-gram including a repeal of alternativeminimum tax provisions; and permit drill-

ing in the protected Arctic National Wild-life Refuge which would boost demandfor U.S.-flag tanker tonnage. The legis-lation, termed the “National Energy Se-curity Act of 2001,” drew 13 co-spon-sors including Senators Trent Lott (R-MS), Ted Stevens (R-AK), John Breaux(D-LA), Conrad Burns (R-MT) and BenNighthorse Campbell (R-CO). The billswere referred to the Senate Energy andNatural Resources Committee.

The U.S. Navy recently contracted witha civilian firm to chip and paint vessels inSan Diego and Norfolk. Chula Vista, Cali-fornia-based Corrosion Engineering Ser-vices will also send painting crews to Navybases in Hawaii, Japan, Florida and Texas.

According to a report filed by the As-sociated Press, an unnamed former sec-retary of the Navy stated that the lavishuse of manpower to perform this work isintolerable in a time of tight budgets anddecreasing crew sizes.

“I don’t think anybody’s self-esteemwas ever enhanced by chipping and paint-ing,” said Vice Admiral Pet Nanos, com-mander of the Naval Sea Systems com-mand. “It’s an absolute burden.”

Admiral Nanos believes that decreas-ing the amount of chipping and paintingby Navy personnel will boost morale andpossible reenlistment rates, and allowsailors to spend more time training.

Alaska Governor Tony Knowles thismonth submitted a bill to the legislaturedesigned to monitor and enforcecruiseship compliance with the state’sclean air and water standards.

The bill would establish the AlaskaCoastal Protection Fund financed by afee of $1.00 per passenger per voyagecalling at Alaska ports.

Among the key provisions of the legis-lation are measures providing for moni-toring and controlling smoke stack emis-sions; allowing the state to require solidwaste disposal plans; provisions for civiland criminal penalties for violations; andpermitting the state to bar entry to ves-sels with repeat violations.

“We don’t care what flag you fly orwhere you travel,” Knowles said. “When

you’re in Alaska, you will obey Alaska’slaws and respect our values.”

The effort to improve oversight of thecruise industry, which is dominated byforeign-flag vessels, follows the state’stesting of cruiseship discharges last year,which Governor Knowles termed “dis-graceful.”

In a statement, he noted that “from 80samples of sewage tested only one com-plied with existing state and federal stan-dards for suspended solids and fecalcoliform, an indicator of human waste.In the case of so-called grey water, waste-water from showers, sinks and kitchensthat was exempted by a loophole in fed-eral law, several samples looked more likeuntreated sewage.”

Page 4 WEST COAST SAILORS Friday, March 30, 2001

Welfare NotesMarch 2000

Active membersThe SUP Welfare Plan now offers a new dental plan. This new plan is aimed

at members who live outside of the current existing dental plan coverage ar-eas. This new coverage plan is good for all eligible members through out theU.S. who live outside of a current dental plan coverage area. If these qualifi-cations describe your needs please apply for this new dental benefit. AmericanGeneral Assurance Co. offers this new plan. This new plan is for eligiblemembers only. Eligible spouses and children will still be covered on the directpayment plan.

To obtain an application for this new plan please call, write, fax, e-mail orphone the Welfare Plan Office.

RetireesThis note is a reminder to all SUP retirees who are on the annual medical

and hospital allowance benefit. Your annual reimbursements are paid for a 12-month period ending July 31st.

You now have four months remaining before your annual allowance rolls overto another fiscal year. To best maximize and to take advantage of this benefityou may want to take time and plan some of your medical, dental, and eyeglassexpenses between now and July 31. If you have questions on the balance inyour annual allowance please write or call the welfare plan office.

Rich Reed

Welfare Plan Representative

SUP Welfare Plan450 Harrison Street

San Francisco CA 94105Telephone Numbers:

Main ......................................................................... (415) 778-5490Eligibility active members/dependents .................... (415) 778-5491SUP Money Purchase Plan, SUP 401(k) Plan,Pensioner Medical Benefits ..................................... (415) 778-5493Toll Free Number ................................................... (800) 796-8003

Sailors’ Union of the Pacific/Training Resources Ltd

Schedule of Course Offerings for 2001

STCW 95 Basic Training

Apr. 9-13Apr. 30-May 4May 14-18May 29-June 2June 4-8June 18-22

July 9-13July 16-20July 30-Aug. 3Aug. 6-10Aug. 20-24Aug. 27-31

Sep. 10-14Sep. 17-21Sep. 24-28Oct. 8-12Oct. 15-19Oct. 29-Nov. 2

Nov. 5-9Nov. 12-16Nov. 26-30Dec. 3-7Dec. 10-14Dec. 17-21

• Basic Fire Fighting• Personal Survival

• Basic First Aid• Personal Safety and Social Responsibility

This course is mandatory under international law for those planning to con-tinue going to sea after February 1, 2002

Military Sealift Command LMSR Vessel Training

Apr. 17-27May 29-June 8

July 10-20Sep. 11-21

Oct. 23-Nov. 2Nov. 27-Dec. 7

This course covers LMSR Vessel Training, Fast Rescue Boat Training, andSmall Arms Training.

Small Arms Training (MSC approved)

Apr. 30-May 2June 11-13

July 23-25July 30-Aug. 1

Sep. 24-26Oct. 1-3

Survival Craft (Lifeboatman)Mar. 26-30Apr. 9-13Apr. 30-May 4

May 21-25June 25-29July 16-20

Aug. 6-10Sep. 17-21

Oct. 15-19Nov. 12-16Dec. 10-14

ContactsJack Mannering, DirectorAndrew Furuseth School of Seamanship450 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94105Jack Mannering, DirectorTel: 415-640-3525Fax: 925-674-1011E-mail: jmannering@hotmail.comor: planoffice@sailors.org

Training Information and Enrollment

Rich Reed, SUP Welfare Plan RepSUP Welfare Plan450 Harrison StreetSan Francisco, CA 94105Tel: (415) 778-5490Fax: (415) 778-5494E-mail: supwelfarerep@hotmail.com

Nov. 5-7Dec. 10-12

“A naked payoff” to big businessIn a big defeat for labor and a victory

for business, Republicans in Congressmoved swiftly this month to repeal theClinton administration’s regulationsaimed at reducing the 1.8 million repeti-tive-motion injuries sustained every yearby American workers.

All 50 Republican Senators—joined bysix conservative Democrats—voted tooverturn the regulations. When SenatorTed Kennedy (D-MS), asked for a mora-torium so that an acceptable bipartisancompromise might be forged, his plea fellon ears deafened by the applause of busi-ness leaders.

Though signed in November, the newworkplace regulations grew out of tenyears of study, which had been initiatedby then-Labor Secretary Elizabeth Dole,a member in good standing of the GOP.

The new ergonomic standards wouldhave covered 103 million workersaround the country. Government offi-cials estimated the rules would haveprevented 4.6 million musculoskeletaldisorders, saving $9 billion every yearfor the next decade.

AFL-CIO leader John Sweeney de-nounced it as “a naked payoff to big busi-ness contributors.”

California Labor Federationformulates 10-point plan toresolve state’s energy crisis

1. Create a California Public Power Authority to provide adequate reserves ofelectric generation capacity, including building of state power generation plants.Any plants financed by California taxpayers should be dedicated to serving Califor-nians first. The existing workforce should be used for all operation, maintenance,and construction of power plants.

2. Utility companies must be kept from filing bankruptcy. In the event of financialunderwriting or subsidy by taxpayers or ratepayers of utility companies, tax andratepayers should receive assets in return. Net undercollection costs should be sharedby the utilities, independent generators and ratepayers. In the event of bankruptcy orsevere service disruptions to businesses, all worker’s who lose jobs should be madewhole. The State should contract back with regulated utilities to operate any stateowned assets. All collective bargaining agreements and successorship clauses shouldbe recognized.

3. Utilities should be regulated, to the extent federal law permits, to provide reli-able electric generation, transmission, and distribution.

4. Regulate plant maintenance procedures to coordinate necessary shutdowns andestablish an inspection and enforcement mechanism to assure proper and safe main-tenance.

5. Maintain the current permitting process, environmental, and labor stan-dards for approval of future power plants. Emphasis should be placed on in-creasing transmission and natural gas line capacity to all regulated and munici-pally owned utilities.

6. Revamp voluntary, interruptions policy to protect large customers from insuffi-cient notice and excessive number of interruptions, while allowing for planned andvoluntary interruptions.

7. Direct access to unregulated energy marketers should be limited to large non-core users based on a fixed opt-out period. Regulated utilities must be able to planfor their power supply requirements. Pre-existing contracts must continue to behonored.

8. Fill the vacancies on the California Energy Commission with knowledgeableand pro-consumer and environmental appointments.

9. Increase the State’s commitment to programs that foster conservation.10. In the event the energy crisis is not solved in the near future, the State shouldexercise its power of eminent domain to take control of power generating plantspreviously owned by the utilities as a way to force power generators to lower prices.

IMPORTANT!

Get your STCW ’95before

February 1, 2002

Friday, March 30, 2001 WEST COAST SAILORS Page 5

Panama’s licensing system exposedThe International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has exposed how Panama’s

lax certification process allows anyone to bypass years of study and seatime. ITF’sgeneral secretary David Cockroft was able to apply for and receive a First Officer’sCertificate and Sea Book from Panama authorizing him to navigate a ship and depu-tize for its captain —despite his complete lack of marine training and skills. “Do youwant someone like me, with no practical seafaring experience, steering a ship full ofdangerous chemicals or radioactive materials off your coast, or plowing through thesame sea lanes as oil supertankers and crowded passenger ferries,” ‘First Officer’David Cockroft asked, as he prepared to reveal his new qualifications. “That is whatan under-policed system, that encourages bad operators to undercut good ones,allows. It is courting human and environmental disaster.”

Panama is the world’s largest shipping register, and is one of 29 flags-of-conve-nience (FOC) countries that flag ships owned by foreign businesses purely for profit.The ITF believes that too often FOC states allow ship operators to slash operatingcosts by ignoring safety regulations and exploiting crews undercutting responsibleoperators and registers in the process. David Cockroft stated: “The laugh is onPanama, whose controls are so lax that they hand out a vital document to the head ofan organization that for years has challenged the abuses permitted by flags of conve-nience states such as theirs. It’s like awarding a good conduct medal to Attila theHun.” He concluded, “Money certainly talks. This just proves — if more proof isneeded — that it is time to eliminate the culture of greed and corruption rooted in theFOC system. However good international conventions look on paper, they will neverguarantee standards until ship registers which exist solely to make money are drivenout of business.”

The Panamanians were again stung after years of allegations of seafarer licensediscrepancies. The Panama Maritime Authority alleged that this growing scandalmay include international inspection companies as well as complicitous behavior bya Panamanian ambassador. Cockroft noted, “In the world of modern shipping, allyou need is the money to grease a few palms.”

Panama Canal needs to be widened

Nationwide defensecommittees forCharleston FiveUnionists arrested for defending jobsprovokes outcry by labor

For defending their jobs, five longshore workers/members of ILA longshore Local1422 and clerks and checkers Local 1771 in Charleston, South Carolina face pos-sible imprisonment on federal criminal charges.

They and some 150 co-workers planned to picket a ship in their port that wasusing a nonunion longshore crew when the state responded with a massive contin-gent of law enforcement officers and an altercation ensued. The five have beenindicted for rioting, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. The SouthCarolina AFL-CIO, with the help of the national AFL-CIO, has initiated an interna-tional campaign to defend them and their locals—one of which, Local 1422, isoverwhelmingly African American.

“This is a very compelling case, one that brings together all the issues, voice at workand the right to organize, issues of racial justice and issues of democracy,” said BillFletcher, assistant to AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and AFL-CIO liaison to thecampaign.

Besides the criminal charges, the stevedoring company that hired the scabs is suingthe two Charleston locals, their presidents and 27 members for $1.5 million in allegedlosses it suffered because of the picket line disrupting work. The suit raises the issue ofwhether workers can be held financially responsible for industrial actions, and raisesthe specter of bankruptcy for the locals and these individual workers and their families.

The trouble began October 1, 1999 when Nordana Lines notified the ILA locals itwas ending its 23-year relationship with the union and would begin using non-unionlabor to work its ships. The local responded with picket lines. After peaceful picketsresulted in slight delays to two Nordana ships, the state of South Carolina whichprides itself on being a right-to-work state and advertises itself to investors as havingthe lowest rate of unionization in the country decided it was going to break thelongshore union’s power.

To protect the “right” of some 20 scabs to work the Nordana ship, Skoasborg,January 20, the state sent in some 600 police in riot gear. Some rode on horses andothers drove armored vehicles. Helicopters circled overhead and police patrol boatscruised the waterside of the terminal.

“You would think there was going to be a terrorist attack on the State of SouthCarolina,” Ken Riley, president of Local 1422, said of the police presence.

The police marshaled at the terminal and, for extra provocation, in front of theunion’s hall about 150 yards away. The longshore workers stayed away from theterminal, letting the police stay out in the rain and cold by themselves and waste lotsof taxpayer money. Later in the evening the workers reassembled at the hall and thenwent out toward the terminal to exercise their legal right to picket.

According to Riley, the police initiated the clash, pushing back the group of pick-ets. Trying to calm the situation, Riley and other union officers created a bufferbetween the police and the pickets. At that point one of the cops ran out of formationand clubbed Riley on the head. Then a fight began.

When it was over the police arrested eight longshore workers on charges of misde-meanor trespassing. At this point State Attorney General Charlie Condon rushed in,took the case away from local law enforcement officials, and raised the misdemeanorcharges to felony rioting charges. At a preliminary hearing a judge dismissed thefelony charges for lack of evidence, but Condon then went to the Grand Jury andsought and obtained indictments against five of the defendants, on the same chargesthat had just been dismissed. Condon has made it clear he intends to prosecute theworkers vigorously and has said his plan for them includes “jail. jail and more jail.”

At the same time WSI, the non-union stevedoring company that supplied the scabworkers, sued Local 1422 and Ken Riley and Local 1771, the Charleston checkersand clerks local, and its president John Alvones for $1.5 million in alleged financiallosses.

The Charleston 5 are under a strict curfew that requires them to stay home be-tween 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. If they are not working or at a union meeting and travelrestrictions that don’t allow them to leave the state.

The South Carolina and the national AFL-CIO are mounting a campaign in de-fense of the Charleston 5. They know they have an uphill fight.

The campaign will seek the acquittal of the Charleston 5 and complete vindicationof the 27 targeted workers and the locals and their officers in the WSI civil casewhile building a strong case for workers’ rights and exposing the racist efforts of thestate to limit Black power in South Carolina.

The plans include setting up local defense committees in cities around the countryand organizing national days of action.

The case merits such focus because the employers and the state violated many funda-mental rights, Fletcher said. They attacked workers’ rights to collective action in manyforms, and specifically African American workers rights to a decent living and fullpolitical participation.

“What you have in South Carolina is a situation where the police, under the apparentleadership of the Attorney General, are clamping down on workers’ rights to peacefullyprotest,” Fletcher said. “If they don’t have that right, then effectively workers theredon’t have any kind of rights to organize, regardless of what’s on the books.”

Source: The Journeyman

Peter Bragg on watch at the header in the g/t Chevron Colorado at the RichmondLong Wharf in February. Photo by Bill Henneberry

SUP Meetings These are the dates for the regularlyscheduled SUP meetings in 2001:

Hdqs. BranchApril 9 16May 14 21June 11 18July 9 16August 13 20September 10 17October 9* 15November 13* 19December 10 17

*Tuesday

The advisory board of the PanamaCanal last month endorsed the idea of athird set of bigger locks but said thePanama Canal Authority (ACP) shouldwiden and deepen its feasibility and im-pact studies first.

William O’Neil, chairman of the boardand secretary general of the World Mari-time Organization, said: “It would be irre-sponsible if Panama did not develop plansfor the future that would overcome theanticipated capacity problems, taking intoaccount future ocean shipping movements.

“There are a number of issues involv-ing engineering, sociological, environ-mental and financial matters which mustbe examined in detail.”

The ACP had to do more in all theseareas, he said, especially given the locks’$4 billion price tag.

Alberto Aleman Zubieta, Canal admin-istrator, confirmed two projects to in-crease canal capacity that are prerequi-sites for a third set of locks.

These are to deepen the artificial LakeGatun by three feet, providing water forsix more lock movements per day, and toexcavate the Canal’s Pacific entrance to 46feet, allowing Panamax-sized bulk carri-ers to enter fully laden. This would alsoboost the newly-refurbished port of Balboa.“Some cargo ships lose 20 percent of theircapacity because they cannot go throughfully loaded,” said Aleman.

The cost would be $300-400 million andwork would begin early next year after theend of the widening of the Culebra cut,the canal’s narrowest point, to allow twoPanamax ships to pass each other there.

O’Neil noted that the technology nec-essary to build the 200-foot gates requiredfor post-Panamax locks might not evenexist. “All these questions need to belooked into,” he said.

Ricardo Martinelli, chairman of theACP board, said, “We Panamaniansshould not get caught up in emotion. Thisis a very poor country that cannot affordto make an error of this magnitude. Wewill wait until we have all the studies.”

On the coastwise tanker run

Page 6 WEST COAST SAILORS Friday, March 30, 2001

Senate finalizes subcommittees

Consumer Affairs, Foreign Commerce and TourismRepublicansPeter Fitzgerald (IL), ChairmanConrad Burns (MT)Sam Brownback (KS)Gordon Smith (OR)John Ensign (NV)George Allen (VA)

DemocratsByron Dorgan (ND), Ranking DemocratJohn Rockefeller IV (WV)Ron Wyden (OR)Barbara Boxer (CA)John Edwards (NC)Jean Carnahan (MO)

Manufacturing and CompetitivenessRepublicansJohn Ensign (NV), ChairmanSam Brownback (KS)Peter Fitzgerald (IL)

DemocratsRon Wyden (OR), Ranking DemocratErnest Hollings (SC)John Rockefeller, IV (WV)

Oceans and FisheriesRepublicansOlympia Snowe (ME), ChairpersonTed Stevens (AK)Kay Bailey-Hutchison (TX)Gordon Smith (OR)Peter Fitzgerald (IL)

DemocratsJohn Kerry (MA), Ranking DemocratErnest Hollings (SC)Daniel Inouye (HI)John Breaux (LA)Barbara Boxer (CA)

Science, Technology and SpaceRepublicansSam Brownback (KS), ChairmanTed Stevens (AK)Conrad Burns (MT)Trent Lott (MS)Kay Bailey-Hutchison (TX)Peter Fitzgerald (IL)George Allen (VA)

DemocratsJohn Breaux (LA), Ranking DemocratJohn Rockefeller, IV (WV)John Kerry (MA)Byron Dorgan (ND)Max Cleland (GA)John Edwards (NC)Jean Carnahan (MO)

Surface Transportation and Merchant MarineRepublicansGordon Smith (OR), ChairmanTed Stevens (AK)Conrad Burns (MT)Trent Lott (MS)Kay Bailey-Hutchison (TX)Olympia Snowe (ME)Sam Brownback (KS)Peter Fitzgerald (IL)John Ensign (NV)

DemocratsDaniel Inouye (HI), Ranking DemocratJohn Rockefeller IV (WV)John Kerry (MA)John Breaux (LA)Byron Dorgan (ND)Ron Wyden (OR)Max Cleland (GA)Barbara Boxer (CA)Jean Carnahan (MO)

AviationRepublicansKay Bailey-Hutchison (TX), ChairmanTed Stevens (AK)Conrad Burns (MT)Trent Lott (MS)Olympia Snowe (ME)Sam Brownback (KS)Peter Fitzgerald (IL)John Ensign (NV)

DemocratsJohn Rockefeller, IV (WV)

Ranking DemocratErnest Hollings (SC)Daniel Inouye (HI)John Breaux (LA)Byron Dorgan (ND)Ron Wyden (OR)Max Cleland (GA)John Edwards (NC)Jean Carnahan (MO)

CommunicationsRepublicansConrad Burns (MT), ChairmanTed Stevens (AK)Trent Lott (MS)Kay Bailey-Hutchison (TX)Olympia Snow (ME)Sam Brownback (KS)Gordon Smith (OR)Peter Fitzgerald (IL)John Ensign (NV)George Allen (VA)

DemocratsErnest Hollings (SC), Ranking DemocratDaniel Inouye (HI)John Kerry (MA)John Breaux (LA)John Rockefeller, IV (WV)Byron Dorgan (ND)Ron Wyden (OR)Max Cleland (GA)Barbara Boxer (CA)John Edwards (NC)

Special Oversight Panel on the Merchant MarineCongressman Bob Stump (R-AZ), Chairman of the House Armed Services Commit-

tee, announced this month the formation of the Committee's Special Oversight Panel onthe Merchant Marine. The Armed Services Committee also has oversight panels onMorale, Welfare & Recreation, Department of Energy Reorganization and Terrorism.“These panels have proven invaluable over the past six years, and I expect they willcontinue to provide important contributions to the Committee's oversight efforts,” saidStump. Committee Ranking Member Ike Skelton (D-MO) added: “I know the panelswill help the committee execute its oversight responsibilities on these important issues.”The Special Oversight Panel on the Merchant Marine follows:

RepublicansDuncan Hunter (CA), ChairmanCurt Weldon PAJim Saxton (NJ)Walter B. Jones, Jr. (NC)Ander Crenshaw (FL)Jo Ann Davis (VA)

House Armed Services CommitteeRepublicansBob Stump (AZ), ChairmanFloyd Spence (SC)Duncan Hunter (CA)James Hansen (UT)Curt Weldon (PA)Joel Hefley (CO)H. James Saxton (NJ)John McHugh (NY)Terry Everett (AL)Roscoe Bartlett (MD)Howard "Buck" McKeon (CA)J.C. Watts, Jr. (OK)William "Mac" Thornberry (TX)John Hostettler (IN)Saxby Chambliss (GA)Van Hilleary (TN)Joe Scarborough (FL)Walter Jones, Jr. (NC)Lindsey Graham (SC)Jim Ryun (KS)Bob Riley (AL)Jim Gibbons (NV)Robin Hayes (NC)Donald Sherwood (PA)Heather Wilson (NM)Ken Calvert (CA)Rob Simmons (CT)Ander Crenshaw (FL)Mark Steven Kirk (IL)Jo Ann Davis (VA)Edward Schrock (VA)W. Todd Akin (MS)

DemocratsIke Skelton (MO)Norman Sisisky (VA)John Spratt, Jr. (SC)Solomon Ortiz (TX)Lane Evans (IL)Gene Taylor (MS)Neil Abercrombie (HI)Martin Meehan (MA)Robert Underwood (Guam)Rod Blagojevich (IL)Silvestre Reyes (TX)Tom Allen (ME)Victor Snyder (AK)Jim Turner (TX)Adam Smith (WA)Loretta Sanchez (CA)James Maloney (CT)Mike McIntyre (NC)Ciro Rodriguez (TX)Cynthia McKinney (GA)Ellen Tauscher (CA)Robert Brady (PA)Robert Andrews (NJ)Baron Hill (IN)Mike Thompson (CA)John Larson (CT)Susan Davis (CA)James Langevin (RI)

DemocratsTom Allen (ME), Ranking MemberGene Taylor (MS)Adam Smith (WA)James H. Maloney (CT)

AFL-CIO says Bush tax cut plan is “irresponsible”The House of Representatives passed President Bush’s $1.6 trillion tax cut plan

this month. It will now go to the upper chamber for consideration where passage bythe 50-member Republican and 50-member Democrat Senate is predicted to bemuch more difficult.

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said that “the tax cut proposed by GeorgeBush is too big, it is irresponsible and it is dangerously tilted to the wealthy. Itwould end up costing us $2.6 trillion total, which would not only devour the entirenon-Social Security, non-Medicare surplus, but cost us even more than the currentsurplus projections.”

He noted that, “We have, at this moment, an unprecedented opportunity to fix theurgent problems facing working families — problems that voters tell us again andagain are their top priorities, well ahead of a tax cut— and then still have room fora fair, responsible tax cut.

“But President Bush has it backwards. He would have us squander the surplus ona tax cut that goes primarily to the wealthy, and then discover that we have no abilityto improve our children’s schools, to address the staggering gaps in health care, andto strengthen and protect Social Security and Medicare.

Sweeney said that, “We cannot, and together we will not, allow the Bush tax cutto become law. This is a defining moment for this Congress. And together, we willmake sure that working families in congressional districts all across this countryknow exactly how their elected representative vote.

He noted that, “Member of Congress face an historic choice: they can stand withthe wealthy special interests for a tax cut that robs us of the ability to meet thepriorities of average citizens and recklessly jeopardizes our nation’s economic foot-ing for years to come; or they can stand with the working families who put themwhere they are.”

Friday, March 30, 2001 WEST COAST SAILORS Page 15

Vice President's RVice President's RVice President's RVice President's RVice President's ReporeporeporeporeportttttMarch 2001

After months of work and dozens ofmeetings, Foss negotiations came to asuccessful conclusion late in the eveningof March 3. The concession-free agree-ment provides for regularly scheduledwork under the best wages and condi-tions in the fuel oil industry. It was thededication of the rank-and-file Negotiat-ing Committee, who sacrificed largeamounts of time and money, and the sup-port of the SUP membership working forFoss who relieved Committee membersfor meetings, that made such progresspossible.

On March 13, 2001, MFOW PresidentWhitey Disley, Secretary Lundeberg andI met with Capt. Saunders Jones andArchibald Morgan of American ShipManagement/Patriot Contract Services atHeadquarters. Most of the discussioncentered on issues specific to the LMSRs,especially the peculiar aspects of the con-tract with the MSC. As the membershipsailing in the LMSRs is well aware, thereis no overtime built into the agreementbetween Patriot Contract Services and theMilitary Sealift Command when the shipsare in Reduced Operating Status (ROS).All costs that are outside of the contrac-tual budget must be bid again to the MSCwithout recourse of appeal; this is theunderlying problem for many issues. Forexample, on the penalty meal hour, theMSC budget does not provide such apayment and there is no such provisionfor it in the LMSR agreement. However,the company acknowledged its responsi-bility to provide an undisturbed hour formeals. A similar situation is the week-end sanitary overtime question, but thecompany agreed to study the feasibilityof re-bidding of weekend sanitary over-time as part of the maintenance budget.Regarding the occasional use of non-member line-handlers to shift the ships,the company agreed to give the SUP firstcrack at the work in ports that have SUPmembers available. On the watch-stand-ing issue, the Union proposed a consis-tent, fleet-wide policy and the companyagreed in principle. They promised tosubmit for our review an implementationplan both at sea and during cargo opera-tions. On the payment of longshore (ILA)holidays in port, when the ships are inROS, the company agreed to research thepractice of other ship management com-panies working under prior agreementsand to use that information as a guidingfactor. Longshore holidays are payablewhen the LMSRs are in Full OperatingStatus (FOS).

The final issue is the LMSR travel policy.After a series of communications, the Com-pany has agreed to stop the unilaterally im-posed policy of garnishing wages for travel

expenses incurred to join the vessel as apunitive measure if a member does notcomplete his or her four-month tour ofduty. Members are reminded, however,that every LMSR job is initially shipped asa minimum four-month assignment. Sta-tus changes can alter the assignment pe-riod, but in any case no sailor shall quitprior to being properly relieved or laid off.Members taking these jobs are urged toput in their time.

During this meeting the problem of theChinese visas was also discussed. Aftermuch discussion the Union proposed andthe company agreed to investigate againthe procedure, to facilitate the acquisi-tions of visas for the membership, and toanalyze payment of any costs associatedwith the process.

On March 19, attended the Joint Legis-lative Conference of the California LaborFederation in Sacramento. With an anti-labor administration in the White House,and gridlock a possibility in Congress,some observers predict progress for work-ing people during the next four years willcome at the state and not the federal level.Along with the Federation, the SUP is back-ing SB-40, a bill that would raiseCalifornia’s Unemployment Insurance ben-efit on a weekly basis from $230.00 to$380.00 over a three-year period and toindex it to one-half the average weeklywage. Also attended various labor lawworkshops and lobbied key senators on thebunker tax exemption bill (SB-145).

Everyone knows that proper documen-tation is a precondition of employmentwithin this highly regulated industry.Nevertheless, we are occasionally dis-tracted and forget the essentials: Z-card,STCW, drug screen, and physical examcard. These documents must not only bein your possession they must also bevalid, i.e., not expired or soon to expire.Please check the expirations of all yourcards and certificates prior to signing on.I also recommend that you carry yourTraining Record book, certificates oftraining, and passport.

At the 100th year anniversary of thewreck of the Rio de Janeiro, I representedthe Union at a wreath laying ceremonyat the Golden Gate aboard the fireboatGuardian. The Rio went hard agroundon the rocks at Fort Point on the morn-ing of February 22, 1901, and sankquickly taking 131 lives. She was a Pa-cific Mail Line (predecessor company ofAPL) ship in which the entire unlicensedcrew were Chinese aliens kept “underbond” and paid nine dollars a month asopposed to a minimum thirty-nine forAmerican seaman at the time. Much ofthe loss of life was attributed to the con-fusion and panic on the part of the Chi-nese who could not understand orders inEnglish. Andrew Furuseth pointed to thetragedy for many years, correctly andprophetically linking safety with pay. Itwas the worst maritime disaster in SanFrancisco history, and together with theTitantic in 1912, it set in motion the re-forms leading to the Seaman’s Act of 1915which changed forever the feudal condi-tions of sailors. The horrible truth is thatdisasters at sea are the historical triggersof reform. Who will be sacrificed beforeall flags are held uniformly accountableto the accepted safety standards (STCW)of today?

Dave Connolly

Sailors’ Union launches new websiteThe SUP launched its new official website last month. The site, www.sailors.org,

contains many new features that will benefit the membership in a variety of ways.First of all, the site represents a new way of staying in touch with the affairs of the

Union regardless of where in the world our members choose to live. It is also meansthat a powerful new medium of expression is now available to the rank-and-file.Using the Contact Us page, members can email any official at Headquarters and theBranches with the click of a button, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.Using the Bulletin Board page, members can discuss whatever interests them in theGeneral Discussion Forum, and can post contact messages for others in the Sailors’Contact Forum. The site also establishes a supplemental platform for the West CoastSailors, which can now be read at sea and ashore in its entirety in every corner of theworld through our servers in San Francisco.

The Political page is both platform and portal. The latest political developmentsthat could impact the membership’s interests will be presented and discussed. Butthe page also acts as a gateway to an enormous amount of powerful information. Forexample, using the U.S. government’s own legislation tracking engine called “Tho-mas,” sailors can follow any bill in Congress from early in the committee stage todebate on the floor and beyond. Moreover, “Thomas” allows anyone to quicklyidentify the players involved and easily register approval or disapproval throughemail links. The page also allows access to all of the latest election results, trackscampaign finances, and has applications for absentee ballots in any state.

The History page includes the entire abridged (paperback) history commissioned bythe Union some time ago. This page also features excerpts of a speech by Harry Lunde-berg at the opening celebrations of the Marine, Cooks and Steward’s hall in 1956.

The SUP Welfare Plan has a significant presence on the site, including posting andarchiving of the Welfare Representative’s “Welfare Notes.” Also, the entire Sum-mary Plan Description can be viewed or downloaded at will. The Welfare Plan’sadministrator or representative is also easily available using email links provided onthe page.

The Constitution page posts the preamble and links to the entire SUP constitutionwhile the About Us section describes the operations of the Union and also has linksto the USCG’s licensing and documentation pages. On the Apparel page, memberscan place orders for the displayed SUP gear.

The Links page serves as a portal to hundreds of different sites of interest to ourmembers and to seamen everywhere. The USCG’s various informational pages onMMD requirements and STCW figure prominently. Links to our affiliates and con-tracted companies who maintain a web presence are represented, as well as relatedgovernment agencies such as the Department of Transportation, the Federal Mari-time Commission, and the Maritime Administration.

The new site will not appear if you’re using the old URL bookmarked or savedas a favorite on your browser. Punch www.sailors.org into the browser windowto call up the new site. Many members donated their time and expertise to theproject, but special recognition goes to Colin Dewey, the original and pioneeringwebmaster.

Sea services memorial to be builtnear Golden Gate Bridge

Hdqs ...... Seattle ......... Wilm ........ Hono .............. TotalBosun................... 4 ................1 ................ 2 ................ 0 .................... 7Maint. Man .......... 1 ................0 ................ 0 ................ 0 .................... 1A.B . .................... 9 ................6 .............. 10 ................ 8 .................. 33A.B. Dayworker .. 0 ................0 ................ 1 ................ 0 .................... 1O.S....................... 0 ................1 ................ 0 ................ 1 .................... 2Standby.............. 37 ................6 .............. 67 .............. 21 ................ 131Oiler ..................... 0 ................1 ................ 0 ................ 0 .................... 1TOTALS ............ 51 ..............15 .............. 81 .............. 30 ................ 177

Record of SUP ShippingFebruary 2001

The San Francisco Lone Sailor Memo-rial Committee has broken ground on thefirst-ever memorial in San Francisco andthe nation to pay tribute to all four of thesea services —the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S.Marine Corps., U.S. Merchant Marine,and U.S. Navy. The San Francisco LoneSailor Memorial is especially importantsince it will honor those who served inthe Merchant Marine on par with theother three sea services.

“San Francisco was critical to our wareffort in the Pacific with over 1.5 millionbrave men and women shipping out ofhere during World War II alone,” saidRear Admiral Thomas J. Patterson,USMS (Ret), Member of the San Fran-cisco Lone Sailor Committee. “I am par-ticularly pleased that fellow mariners whosailed in the U.S. Merchant Marine willreceive this long overdue recognition fortheir heroic efforts in defense of our greatcountry and the freedom of the world.”

The National Park Service has approvedthe siting of the Memorial at Vista Pointnear the Golden Gate Bridge. A seven-footbronze Lone Sailor statue will stand in thecenter of the Memorial surrounded by agranite compass rose. The Lone SailorStatue was selected as a universal symbolof the sailors and marines who said good-bye to their homeland from the San Fran-cisco Bay. Benches will be placed withinthe Lone Sailor Memorial to allow familyand friends to sit and reflect on loved oneswho may have served in the four sea ser-vices. Each of the sea services will be rec-

ognized with bronze plaques which willcommemorate historic events in the nation’smaritime history.

The San Francisco Lone Sailor Com-mittee has pledged to raise $2 million forthe Memorial from private and corpo-rate sources. No government funds willbe used. Over $900,000 has been raisedto date. The Memorial target completiondate is Veteran’s Day 2001. All contri-butions to the Memorial are tax deduct-ible. Those wishing to contribute to theMemorial should send checks made pay-able to the “U.S. Navy Memorial Foun-dation” to The San Francisco Lone SailorMemorial 3450 Sacramento Street #531,San Francisco, California 94118. Formom information, please call (415) 664-8872 or visit the Memorial web site at“www. lonesailor.bigstep.com.”

Page 16 WEST COAST SAILORS Friday, March 30, 2001

MARCH 2001

Official Publication of the Exxon Seamen's Union

ESU NEWSESU OfficeAssignments

For the month of April, Thomas Thomp-son will be in the Baytown office and JerryPatterson will be in the Benicia office.

ESU rejects SeaRiver’s latest trick

Strike Authorization!As a result of SeaRiver management’s

continued failure to live up to their re-sponsibilities to their employee’s wel-fare, the ESU Executive Board has de-termined it necessary to invoke ArticleVII of the Constitution and By-lawsand put a strike authorization vote outto the membership. Article VII pro-vides a means for the rank and file toempower the Executive Board to calla strike action against SeaRiver Mari-time if no agreement is reached be-tween the two parties at the expirationof the present contract on September1, 2001. The Executive Board, ofcourse, does not want to strike and willstrive hard to reach an amicable agree-ment but it has become apparent thatstrong measures may be necessary toget to that point.

If their past performance is any judge atall then we can only expect the worst frommanagement is yet to come. From the out-set of the wage re-opener negotiations inJune of last year through to the meeting onMarch 7, 2001, the SeaRiver negotiatingteam has operated in a cheap and some-times deceptive manner. This type of stall-ing and non-negotiating has convinced theExecutive Board that all tools of leveragemust be called upon and be made availableduring the full contact negotiations laterthis year. A strike authorization is one suchtool. An overwhelming YES vote for thestrike authorization would provide a clearand unambiguous statement to the companythat not only does the Executive Board havethe support and confidence of the mem-bership, but also that the membership isequally committed to obtaining fair and justrecognition for their labor and sacrifices.

The ballots for this initiative are tenta-tively scheduled to be mailed out the firstweek of April. There will be a 60-dayvoting period and the Federal Mediation& Conciliation Service in Houston, Texaswill administer the counting of the bal-lots and announce the results.

Not since the early 1980’s has the ESUcalled on the membership to authorize astrike action and it is not an unusual ac-tion for any union to take. Our brothersin the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific haveoften considered it appropriate and havefound it to be a valuable bargaining chipin negotiations. It is especially necessarywhen entering into negotiations with amanagement mindset such as the one withwhich we are presently confronted. It iscritical that SeaRiver know and under-stand that this Union is, indeed negotiat-ing with a mandate from the member-ship to not accept anything less than afair and equitable agreement.

The Board asks for the membership’scontinued support and trust. At no timehas the call for solidarity needed to beshouted louder. With everyone work-ing together we can overcome the short-sightedness of the present management,achieve a contract we can all be proudof and bring this company back to theforefront of the maritime industrywhere it belongs.

The ESU Board has rejected onceagain an attempt by SeaRiver management to deny their unlicensed

employees a fair wage increase in the 2000wage reopener negotiations. In what canonly be described as a trick, SeaRiver man-agement lured the Union Board back toHouston by leading us to believe that theywould continue negotiating on the 2000wage reopener issue. It later became ap-parent that their true intentions were tocompletely sidestep the 2000 wage issueand attempt to undermine the strong bar-gaining position the ESU will have duringthe full contract negotiations this summer.

In a good faith effort to resolve the dis-pute the ESU went to the table with avery reasonable proposal for a 4.5%across the board wage increase and abenefit bearing lump sum of $1250 tocompensate for retroactivity.Management’s response was to com-pletely ignore the proposal and ask theESU Board if they might instead enter-tain the concept of accepting a wage in-crease encompassing both 2000 and2001. In exchange, the Union would haveto agree to a one-year extension of thecurrent contract to September 2002. Theydid not, however, attach any numbers tothis concept so the ESU Board smellinga rat, reconvened separately to assess theCompany’s dubious offer. After a thor-ough consideration of the matter, theBoard informed management that we hadcome to Houston to address the 2000wage reopener only and that it would beof no benefit to the membership to rene-gotiate or extend the present contract untilthe 2000 wage issue was resolved.

The decision to not consider the ideabecame a moot point when the Companycame back and threw their numbers in theBoard’s face anyway. Clearly miffed bythe ESU’s refusal to fall into their trap,management spokesman Ed Cahillscribbled a 7% figure on the conferenceroom flip chart confirming the suspicionsthat the numbers attached to their proposalwere indeed very low. One must keep inmind that the 7% figure was to include two

years’ increases and would therefore rep-resent less than 3.5% for 2000 and againfor 2001. Incredulously, management wenton to say that this amount should some-how compensate for retroactivity since itwould go into effect upon ratification. TheESU of course rejected the scheme and themeeting ended shortly thereafter with theBoard and the membership having beeninsulted once again.

The Executive Board met again the fol-lowing morning, Thursday, March 8, todetermine how best to deal with the situ-ation. It was overwhelmingly agreed thatin light of SeaRiver management’s arro-gant refusal to deal fairly with the ESU,the Board’s only just recourse was to in-voke Article VII of our Constitution andcall upon the membership to vote to givethe Executive Board the authorization tocall for a general strike of SeaRiver Mari-time Incorporated should the full contractnegotiations fail to reach an amicableconclusion by the time the present con-tract expires September 1, 2001. It mustbe emphasized that the ESU Board doesnot want to strike, but that we must enterinto the upcoming negotiations from aposition of strength if we are to avoid anymore of the Company’s cheapskate an-tics as we have seen in past years. Wecan no longer simply go in and beg forfair treatment and conditions but shouldrather make clear to management justexactly what it will take for us to con-tinue to operate the ocean fleet.

In addition to the strike authorizationvote the ESU began informational pick-eting in Houston the week of March 12.The picketing will continue at variouslocations at unannounced times until ourdispute is over. The exact times and lo-cations must remain unannounced so asto not allow management the opportunityto thwart our efforts. The ESU will atfirst be contacting by phone those mem-bers who reside in the Houston/East Texasarea to come help man the picket linesbut we of course enthusiastically welcomemembers from anywhere who would liketo join in. Sleeping arrangements will bemade for those who are coming from outof area or who plan to stay for severaldays but please call the Baytown officefirst so that we know you are coming.The Union will also provide a hot lunchto those who attend.

The Union has also been in close con-tact with our powerful allies in the laborcommunity and we are now exploring themany different avenues in which we mightask them to assist us in our efforts. Manyother groups such as pilots and tug assistcrews in the different ports are repre-sented by organized labor. We also havesupporters in the press and in governmentoffices on whom we will call. In short,we are working very hard to ensure thatthe Company no longer takes us forgranted. We are being fair, our actionsare justified and with courage and perse-verance we will win.

Holding the line

At the negotiating table in Houston, March 7, 2001, from left to right: ESU PresidentJerry Patterson, ESU Counsel Sharon D. Groth, and ESU Vice President John Straley.

March 1 new hire groupOn March 4th ESU Board Representative Kevin Conroy met with a group of

recently hired seamen at the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo Cali-fornia where they where undergoing new-hire orientation. Twelve out of atotal of thirteen joined the Union after a short presentation and question andanswer period with Kevin. Out of this group five hold engine room endorse-ments and six have AB tickets. Due to the extreme shortage of qualified per-sonnel (especially ABs), it was disappointing that more seamen with AB andQMED endorsements were not hired but this group although few in numbers,appeared very good due to their maturity and experience. Nearly all themjoined vessels immediately upon completing the orientation class.

Please welcome to the ESU: Don Bacon, Steve Baugh, Joseph Bernavich,James Brown, Walfredo Domapias, David Frank, Jennifer Hawk, Terry Ott,Sal Raul Plaza, Roque Salute, Frank Strong and John Valle. We would also beremiss if we did not thank those new members who have recently joined out-side of the new-hire classes. Since our last article on new members we havesigned up and we welcome aboard: Alvin Philips, Lance Jacobs, Daniel Breaux,Doug Krach and Jay Berry.

Picketing and strike authorization vote to follow

Why and what it means

Friday, March 30, 2001 WEST COAST SAILORS Page 17

ESU News

Engine Ratings EndorsementProgram (EREP) to resume

The ESU is pleased to announce that after many months of urging and proddingSeaRiver management has agreed to reinstate the Engine Ratings Endorsement Pro-gram (EREP) in March of this year. The EREP program was negotiated by theUnion to make a path available to interested Able Seamen, which would enable themto acquire the sea time necessary to obtain Coast Guard engine room endorsements.

Able Seamen selected for this program will normally be assigned to a Mainte-nance Seamen’s billet and they will be required to fulfill the job duties required ofthe MS. It is important to note that during the Able Seaman’s participation in EREPhe or she will continue to be paid at the AB rate of pay. At present, six months of seatime are required to qualify for engine endorsements and the program will normallybe completed after three full sea tours.

Upon completion of the program the participant will be slotted onto the QMED-Oiler promotion list according to the date the seaman started. To be maintained onthe promotion list the Able Seamen is required to obtain the necessary USCGendorsement(s) within six months of accumulating enough sea time. If for any rea-son the seaman fails to gain the engine endorsement within the six month period, heor she will be required to request placement on the promotion list in the traditionalmanner as described within Article IX, Section 2B of the Contract after the endorse-ments are obtained.

To request placement in the program an AB not already having the necessaryengine department sea time must submit a written request to Fleet Manning. Addi-tionally, the individual must submit a letter of recommendation for the programfrom either a Chief Engineer or Chief Mate. Consideration for placement will not bemade until all documentation has been properly submitted. Specific and compre-hensive language in regard to the EREP may be found in Article IX, Section 5 of theContract on pages 40 and 41.

The ESU asks those that do participate in EREP to keep the Union informed ofany changes in assignment that may delay their completion of the necessary seatime. The Union remains concerned as to the company’s commitment to the pro-gram. In the past management has used their failure to employ a sufficient numberof Able Seamen as justification to suspend the EREP. It is the Union’s position thatSeaRiver is contractually obligated to employ an adequate number of Able Seamento adhere to the terms of our Contact.

P.O. Box 792Benicia, CA 945101(800) 729-3101Fax (707) 746-7859E-Mail: esuben@msn.com

EXXON SEAMEN'S UNION

701 W. Sterling Ave.Baytown, TX 775201(800) 213-7236Fax (281) 422-0710E-Mail: esubay@msn.com

Vice President John StraleySecretary/Treasurer Kevin ConroyRecording Secretary Thomas Thompson III

Deck Trustee Ulrich BaurEngine Trustee Charlie PollardSteward Trustee Gerard Nelson

President Jerry Patterson

Founded March 28, 1941Affiliated with the Sailors' Union of the Pacific

ESU crewmembers take a break aboard the S/R Hinchinbrook during a recent portcall to the Valero Refinery in Benicia, California: Left to right AB Stuart Smith,Pumpman James Ham, AB Penny Joule and Maintenance Seaman Charlie Polk.

S/R Hinchinbrook

Ship reportsS/R American ProgressRecently scheduled trip to SF Bay and

then to Gulf Coast cancelled mid voy-age and the ship rerouted back to theValdez/Anacortes trade. Stern tube re-pairs kept ship in Port Angeles severaldays. Other than long sea tours no beefs.

S/R BaytownRumors of Lee Airriess’ demise

greatly exaggerated. The ESU wel-comes Lee’s decision to delay his plansto retire. Ship running smoothly.

S/R BeniciaAn ESU Board officer visited the ship

March 10 at the Valero Dock, inBenicia. AB Jay Moritz filling in asTemp. Rep. Ship sent back to Port An-geles for more tank repairs.

S/R CharlestonVessel visited March 2 in Baytown.

No major beefs. Chester Bell backonboard and all going well.

S/R GalvestonShip visited while at SHORE termi-

nal Martinez on March 4 and againwhile alongside the Valero dock inBenicia on March 24. George Ruarkfilling in as Temporary Ship Rep. Allrunning smoothly.

S/R HinchinbrookShip visited at Valero, Benicia on Feb.

21. Great group onboard enduring welldespite lousy conditions. AB Roberto

Alps doing a good job as Temp. Rep.

S/R Long BeachVessel visited at Chevron Long

Wharf, Richmond on March 25. LeoDeCastro filling in as Temp. Rep. Shiprunning smoothly. Despite Union pro-test Deck Trustee Rick Baur remainedonboard during recent negotiations dueto company’s failure to hire adequatenumber of ABs.

S/R MediterraneanThe Mediterranean made recent port

call to Port Stanvac, Australia. Com-pany blatantly flies big shots First/Busi-ness Class while unlicensed “peasants”fly in back, in direct violation of ourcontract. Grievance in the works.

S/R North SlopeUnion officer boarded the vessel on Feb.

25 at the Richmond Long Wharf. SeanHughes has everything under control.

S/R Puget SoundShip visited March 14 at Benicia.

Currently scheduled to head for LongBeach then to Gulf of Mexico viaPanama to enter clean product trade.Will Ackley filling in as Temp. Rep.Several guys from the most recent new-hire group joined in San Francisco.They look like a really good bunch.

S/R WilmingtonVisited in Baytown on March 4.

Johnny Navarro back onboard. No beefs.

John Spencer says thanksRetiree and former ESU President John Spencer recently contacted the Union to

request that his heartfelt thanks be extended to those members who sent cards andexpressed their concern during his recent illness. We are happy to report that John iswell on his way to a full recovery and is back at work at his place of business. It wasvery good to hear that he is doing so well and we wish him the best of luck in the future.

ESU begins picketing in HoustonThe ESU conducted picketing at the

ExxonMobil building on Bell Street inHouston on Thursday and Friday, March15 and 16 and again the following weekon March 22 and 23. This informationalpicketing was begun in hopes of raisingboth public and corporate awareness of theongoing wage negotiation stalemate that ourmembers are presently enduring.

In response to SeaRiver management’sdubious negotiating tactics as described inthe article on the previous page, the ESUconsidered it necessary to mobilize a quickand imposing show of displeasure towardtheir shabby treatment of our membership.The Union sent out a call for action to thoseliving in the Houston area and the responsewas truly extraordinary. Among thosemembers who stepped forward in supportof the ESU were: Rowan Mallet, RudyBenavides and family, Charlie Pollard,Marcos Clotter, Michael Harrison, RicardoPadilla and family, Steve Wilson, TimWilliams, Harley Waters, Danny Broussardand family, Lynn Broussard and Ed Ben-jamin. Everyone who helped out is to becommended for their loyalty and commit-ment to the ESU.

These members, their families and rep-resentatives of other labor organizationssympathetic to our cause met early eachmorning with picket signs in hand andtook the message to the streets. Many ofthe ExxonMobil employees who work atthe Bell Street Building as well as thenews media and passers-by showed greatinterest in the message being delivered

by our volunteers. That message being,as our picket signs read; ExxonMobil/SeaRiver Maritime - Billions in Profitsand Still Unfair to Labor!

During those first four days of picket-ing our demonstrations drew the atten-tion of numerous news media concernsincluding camera crews from the localABC and NBC television affiliates. Ad-ditionally, journalists from the HoustonPress and Houston Chronicle conductedinterviews with the Executive Board. Arepresentative from the Maritime Admin-istration was also in touch with the ESUand has shown an interest in our effortsto attain fair and equitable compensation.

The Union requested and received helpin manning the picket lines from severaldifferent organizations including the Dis-trict 1 Marine Engineer’s Beneficial As-sociation. The ESU sincerely thanks themembers of MEBA-1 for their help. Alsovery deserving of thanks for their assis-tance are, Mr. Richard Shaw, Secretary-Treasurer of the Harris County AFL-CIOand Mr. Bill Sam, the Texas Field Rep-resentative, Department of Field Mobili-zation, AFL-CIO. The ESU has foundour new relationship with the AFL-CIO(made possible as a result of last year’saffiliation with the Sailors’ Union of thePacific) extremely valuable.

More picketing is being scheduled forfuture dates. Anyone interested in con-tributing his or her time to the cause isencouraged to contact the ESU Baytownoffice at 1-800-213-7236.

The ESU News is written and editedby the Exxon Seamen’s Union.

Page 18 WEST COAST SAILORS Friday, March 30, 2001

SUP President's Report

FOSS MARITIME COMPANY

After 14 bargaining sessions with Foss at Headquar-ters, the SUP Negotiating Committee hammered-out anew agreement close to midnight on March 2, for thoseworking in the company’s bunkering operation on SanFrancisco Bay.

Negotiations began in earnest on February 28 andcontinued daily during that week until midnight, Fri-day, March 1, the contract expiration date, when com-pany representatives (Warner Nelson, Vice PresidentIndustrial Relations; Scott Merritt, San Francisco Re-gional Director; and Ern Russell, Marine Superinten-dent) requested that negotiations be continued the fol-lowing day. The SUP Negotiating Committee, comprisedof rank-and-file members Mike Higa (alternate), MelJackson, Newell “Robbie” Robinson (alternate), MikeScotto, Tom Tynan, Mike Worth, Paul Wuestewald, andVice President Dave Connolly and your secretary, agreedto extend the old agreement one more day, as therewere many unresolved issues left to bargain.

Negotiations came to a head at approximately 10:30P.M. on March 2, when the company made its best andfinal proposal. In caucus the SUP Negotiating Com-mittee carefully analyzed changes to the contract thathad been tentatively agreed to and after much discus-sion, voted to recommend the new agreement for mem-bership approval.

While negotiations with Foss had more course changesthan a trip around the world the SUP Negotiating Com-mittee was resolute and successful in maintaining sched-ules and guaranteed work for tankerman and those work-ing in the company’s tug boats as well as improvingwages, working conditions and benefits.

On March 5 and March 6, SUP members workingfor Foss caucused at Headquarters. After a thorough,point-to-point, section-by-section, review of the pro-posed new agreement, voted unanimously to recom-mend the contract for general membership ratification.

The highlights of the agreement are as follows:

TERM: March 13, 2001-February 29, 2004WAGES — First Year

• 2% increase on straight time, overtime and standbyrates retroactive to December 1, 2000, for all job clas-sifications.

• 2% increase on tankerman rates effective upon con-tract ratification.

• .5% increase on tug boat job classifications effec-tive upon contract ratification.

• With these wage increases, base wages, overtimeand standby rates will be as follows from 2001 throughFebruary 28, 2002.

Sick Leave:Benefits paid on the first day of illness, hospitaliza-

tion or disability. Under the old agreement sick leavebenefits were paid starting on the third day.

Funeral Leave:Three days in any calendar year. Under the old agree-

ment funeral leave was deducted from sick leave.

Meal Allowance:Increased from $4.00 per meal to $5.50 per meal.

Mileage Allowance:Increased from 32 miles to 45 miles at the IRS rate.

Shipwreck:Increased from $500.00 to $600.00 for loss of per-

sonal gear.

Hiring Hall Fund:Increased to $2.50 per manday.When wages and benefit improvements are calcu-

lated together the total economic settlement for the firstyear of the agreement is over 5.5% for those workingin the tugs and over 8% for those employed astankerman.

WORK RULESTug Boat Crews:

The Negotiating Committee rejected the company’sproposal to have tug crews stand six-on/six-off watcheswith no compensation between watches. The status-quoof 12-on/12-off, week on/week off was maintained.

Tankerman :The Negotiating Committee was successful in main-

taining and protecting scheduled hours of work for“steady” employees while agreeing to some flexibletankerman jobs, if the company so desired to exercisethat option. The significant gain in this agreement forboth tankerman and tug crews is not only that work isscheduled but pay for those hours is guaranteed.

A synopsis of the various tankerman shifts follows:

Day Shift Tankerman (DST):Shall be assigned to a specific barge, with assign-

ments made by seniority. Straight-time hours are from0600 to 1800 Tuesday through Monday. If assigned towork on another barge, a DST shall receive one hour atthe overtime rate, and one hour at the overtime whenthey return to their scheduled barge. The DST shallreceive the current IRS mileage allowance for actualmiles traveled up to 45 miles per day worked and whentraveling outside of scheduled hours, one hour traveltime at the overtime rate.

Night Shift Tankerman (NST):The same general provisions as the DST except that

the scheduled hours are from 1800 to 0600 Tuesdaythrough Monday. The NST shall call into Foss dispatchfor barge assignments at 1500. If the NST does nothave a period of 11 hours off by 1500, including traveltime, they may defer the call until 1600. If after report-ing aboard a barge the NST is requested to shift toanother barge, the affected tankerman shall be paid atthe overtime rate. In addition to the above the NSTshall be paid a $1.00 per hour shift differential overand above the Day Shift Tankerman’s straight time rate.

Flex Tankerman (FT):The intent of this provision is to supplement the sched-

uled (DST & NST) work force with the number of FTto be determined by the company at the start of eachmonth. The company shall be allowed to have one FTfor every 3.5 scheduled tankerman. FT shall be calledon an as-needed basis, according to seniority, but shallbe guaranteed a minimum of 14, 12-hour, straight-timedays per month with ten consecutive days off per month.If the FT is required to work between 1800 and 0600,the FT shall receive the same differential as the NightShift Tankerman.

All other provisions in the agreement for calling forcasuals from the hall remain status-quo.

Overall the agreement with Foss was tightened-up andimproved, particularly in regards to seniority provisionswhich were of concern to the Committee. One issuethat remains unresolved, despite the Committee’s bestefforts in bargaining to do so, is that of tug boat juris-diction. The company has more barges than tugs as-signed to its bunkering operation and has on occasion

used Foss tugs crewed by the IBU to move Foss/SUPbarges. The company acknowledged in bargaining thatthis is a problem and needs to be resolved. Until thatoccurs, will continue to penalize Foss for jurisdictionalbreaches and misassignments of work while workingon a solution with both the IBU and the company..

Recommend, along with the Negotiating Committeeand the membership working for company, that the newcollective bargaining agreement with Foss be ratified.

Also would like to thank the rank-and-file committeefor its tenacity — it was a pleasure working with them.

PACIFIC DISTRICT PENSION PLAN

At the regular meeting of the board of Trustees of theSIU-Pacific District Pension Plan held on March 7, the Pen-sion Plan document was amended to reflect the following:

Revised definition of a final retirementdate:

In October 2000, reported that before 1990, Sec-tion 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code man-dated that a participant who was over age 70½ startdrawing his pension by April 1, following the year inwhich he “retired.” The law did not spell out when aparticipant was considered “retired.” Starting in1990, the law was changed to add a new require-ment: namely that a participant start drawing hispension by April 1, following the year in which heturned age 70½ even if he had not “retired” but wasstill working (his “required beginning date”). Par-ticipants drawing pension benefits because of this in-service distribution rule were/are called “mandatorypensioners.” The Small Business Jobs Protection Actof 1996 eliminated the age 70½ mandatory in-ser-vice distribution rule effective January 1, 1997. How-ever, the law maintained the pre-1990 requirementthat a participant who has “retired” must start draw-ing his pension by April 1 of the following year.

In August 1999, the 20th Amendment to the SIU-PD Pension Plan Agreement was adopted and ap-proved by the IRS. It defines a participant receiv-ing a mandatory pension as “retired” if he worksless than 62 mandays in any 12-month period andis over 70½.

The Amendment to the Plan document adoptedthis month further clarifies this policy which is in-line with IRS regulations.

In order to address the lack of awareness by par-ticipants of the 62-day work requirement, a transi-tional rule was adopted that states that if a partici-pant worked at least 62 days between July 1996 andJune 1999, he will not be considered “finally retired”until January 1, 2000 at the earliest. If the partici-pant also worked at least 62 days in calendar year1999, he will then come under the new calendar yeartest (replacing the “rolling 12-month test”) and willnot be considered finally retired until he worked lessthan 62 days after 1999. Those Plan participants whofall under the category described should contact thePension Plan office at 415-437-6889 to see if they areentitled to an adjustment to their pension benefit.

Participants who turned 70½ from the calendaryear 2000 forward and who do not work at least 62days per calendar year shall be considered to have“finally retired” and will begin receiving a pensionbenefit on April 1, following the year 70½ is attained.

This is another form of the “mandatory pensionerrule” imposed by the IRS. If a “mandatory pen-sioner” under this rule does not work at least 62days in a calendar year, his pension benefit will belocked-in at that level (except for negotiated increases)even if he accumulates additional sea-time.

Chevron Inland Fleet “Break in Service”The Trustees also amended the Plan to cover those

SUP members who were employed by Chevron Ship-ping Company’s former Los Angeles, Puget Soundand San Francisco Bay Inland Fleets prior to 1997.Under the amendment adopted, time worked inChevron’s inland fleets will not count as a “break inservice” under the Pension Plan rules. Prior to this

March 12, 2001

Engineer $3,754.80 $33.53 $9.23

Engineer, Licensed $3,754.80 $33.53 $9.23

Qualified Deckhand $3,479.28 $31.07 $9.23

Licensed Deckhand $3,479.28 $31.07 $9.23

Deckhand $2,852.64 $25.47 $9.23

Tankerman $3,995.04 $35.67 $9.36

*Based on 14 days worked per month.

Second Year: Effective March 1, 2002, 2.5% increase on straight

time, overtime, standby rates and night differential rates.

Third Year:Effective March 1, 2003 - 2.5% increase on straight

time, overtime, standby rates and night differential rates.

Health & Welfare:Increased contribution to the SUP Welfare Plan from

$522.00 per month to $628.00 per month or $44.86per day worked. In addition, the company agreed toincrease this amount by $10.00 per year in 2001, 2002,and 2003, if the Plan office notifies the company thatthe premium required to maintain the current level ofbenefits has increased.

Monthly

Base Wages*

Overtime

Rate

Standby

Rate

Friday, March 30, 2001 WEST COAST SAILORS Page 19

amendment Chevron Inland Fleet employment wasconsidered a “break-in service” if it lasted over twoyears. By this amendment, a participant can splicehis time together for pension purposes effectivelybridging the so-called “dead time” of Chevron In-land Fleet employment.

Five-year VestingThe Small Business Jobs Protection Act also elimi-

nated the Pacific District Plan’s exemption fromERISA’s five-year vesting requirement. The amend-ment to the Plan document adopted this month pro-vides for five-year vesting, rather than ten-year vest-ing, effective August 1, 1999 (the beginning of thefirst Plan year after the expiration of the collectivebargaining agreements that were in effect in August1999).

Ten-year vesting will continue to apply to partici-pants who left the Plan before accumulating 10 yearsof service unless and until they return to coveredemployment for at least one day after July 1999.Thereafter, they are covered by the five-year vestingrule. If a participant has had one or more one-yearbreaks-in-service since leaving covered employment,he must return and complete one year of vesting ser-vice in order to have his prior years of service countedtoward satisfying the five-year vesting requirement.If before he returns, he has as many consecutivebreaks-in-service as he had years of service, all hisprior service is forfeited and he must start over again.

UPDATE: PROPOSED PENSIONERHOUSING BENEFIT

In response to the inquiries of many active and re-tired members regarding the status of the sale of theSUP Welfare Plan’s parking lot in San Francisco, thefollowing is an update:

As the membership will recall, the lot was sold onAugust 11, 1999, for $13 million. The buyer, AtlanticPacific Companies, put $3 million down of which theWelfare Plan received $2,511,639. The remainder ofthe $3 million was paid out for real estate commission,taxes, attorneys fees, etc. (See the September 24, 1999issues of the West Coast Sailors). The balance of thepurchase price, $10 million, was due and payable to theWelfare Plan within 18 months after the close of es-crow.

The note for $10 million was due and payable onFebruary 10, however, Atlantic Pacific Companies hasnot yet made payment to the Welfare Plan.

Mr. Tony Crossley, the real estate broker that is han-dling this transaction indicates that the buyer will morethan likely make that payment by the end of the month.In the meantime, Atlantic Pacific is paying 15% inter-est on the monies owed.

In the event that Atlantic Pacific does not make goodon its obligation, Dana Kozerski, a real estate lawyer,from the San Francisco law firm of Mandel, Buder &Verges, who is representing the Plan in this matter, in-tends to file a Notice of Default.

As far as the status of the proposal made by the UnionTrustees to use the money from the sale of the lot as ahousing benefit for current and future pensioners,Charles Both of the Washington, D.C. law firm ofYablowski, Both and Edelman indicated last week thatthe Internal Revenue Service continues to analyze theproposal.

As the membership will recall, then Vice PresidentDuane Hewitt and your secretary proposed to the em-ployer trustees in 1998, that proceeds from the sale ofthe lot be paid to current and future SUP pensioners asthe money to purchase the lot was derived from theallocation of the entire 1949 wage increase. Backgroundon this issue is in the September 25, 1998 West CoastSailors.

The Union’s proposal is that a “housing benefit” bepaid out monthly with the exact amount to be deter-mined by actuarial calculation. The recipients of thebenefit as proposed should include the following:

• All SUP members who are currently receiving aregular pension;

• All SUP members who are receiving a mandatorydeferred vested pension;

• All SUP members who are receiving a Chevronpension and who were dues-paying members while soemployed;

• All future retirees who are now active members,and who qualify under the five-year vesting rule as ofthe end of fiscal year 1999 (July 31, 2000).

Will continue to keep the membership fully informedas to the status of the parking lot sale transaction andany ruling by the IRS.

SUP BUILDING CORPORATION

The SUP Building Corporation Trustees (Bill Berger,Paul Calais, Norman Christianson, Dave Connolly, andyour secretary) met at Headquarters on February 16, todiscuss the status of the Union’s property.

As the membership will recall a previous tenant ofthe old Wilmington Hall stiffed the Building Corpora-tion for nearly $50,000 in rent and subsequently filedfor bankruptcy to avoid paying creditors. The courts inLos Angeles have renewed a judgment against this ten-ant and the Building Corporation is still pursuing thematter. The current owner of the building has been righton time in making his $2,174 monthly mortgage pay-ments.

At Headquarters work continues on the waterproof-ing of the exterior walls. Restoration has been com-pleted on several valuable paintings in the dispatch halland the installation of protective plexiglass framesaround these items. The restoration work was done bythe deYoung Museum in San Francisco. It was also re-ported that additional income will be realized by theinstallation of more wireless antennas on the roof of thebuilding and the rental of Room 100 by the SUP Wel-fare Plan for the SUP Welfare Representative, Rich Reed.

Also discussed the length was the lawsuit against theBuilding Corporation that was reported last month (seethe February 23, 2001 issue of the West Coast Sailors).

Mr. Frank Conway of the San Francisco law firm ofLynch, Gilardi & Grummer retained by the BuildingCorporation to defend against this suit made a presen-tation to the Trustees first on the pertinent facts of thelaw, and then on the disposition of the case. He statedthat the judge assigned to the case is inclined towards aquick settlement and the plaintiffs attorney is not inter-ested in a large amount of discovery that could increaselegal costs. After a general discussion on the issue, theTrustees voted unanimously on the recommendation ofMr. Conway to hire an Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) consultant to survey 450 Harrison Street.

(On February 26, Mr. Conway attended a Case Man-agement Conference in the court of Judge BernardZimmerman of the U.S. District Court for NorthernCalifornia along with the attorney for the Plaintiff andthe attorney for System XIX, Inc./Maritime Hall Pro-ductions.

Although Judge Zimmerman set a trial date for thismatter for March 4, 2002, Mr. Conway indicates that asettlement should be reached before that time. In addi-tion to as yet unknown financial damages, the BuildingCorporation will most likely have to take remedial ac-tion to make handicap accessible the restrooms, etc. inthe building. According to Mr. Conway this would notcompletely insulate the Building Corporation from fu-ture access litigation. However, the fact that the Build-ing Corporation performed remediation work under asettlement ok’d by a federal judge may go a long way indefending any future case by showing that all “readilyachievable” measures have been implemented to makethe building accessible.)

It should be noted again that the Building Corporationhas filed a claim against Systems XIX, Inc. given the factthat it leases the auditorium and is obligated under thatlease to comply with all laws including the ADA.

In other action taken, the Building Corporation au-thorized Mr. Tony Crossley, Senior Vice President forColliers International to continue negotiations with Sys-tem XIX, Inc. regarding the lease of the auditoriumand basement spaces.

WILMINGTON BRANCH AGENT

As reported in the Wilmington Branch minutes inJanuary and February and published in the West CoastSailors for those months, Branch Agent Bill Berger

announced that he desired to be relieved from the jobon March 20, and recommended that Brother MarkHurley #5870 replace him. The membership at the coast-wise meetings in February concurred with the recom-mendation of Brother Berger and the WilmingtonBranch.

Therefore, in accordance with Article XIII, Section3, of the SUP Constitution recommend that BrotherHurley be elected to complete the 2000-2002 term ofoffice as Wilmington Branch Agent.

The membership owes a vote of thanks for ajob well done to Bill for taking the job in October oflast year under difficult circumstances.

TRAINING: STCW & LMSR

All hands are reminded that the deadline forfull compliance with the amended international STCW(Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping)convention is less than one year away.

In order to continue sailing after February 1, 2002,you must have an STCW 95 certificate.

Members who do not hold an STCW 95 certificateshould enroll in one of the training sessions scheduledfor this year. A complete schedule of the five-day train-ing course will be printed in this month’s West CoastSailors.

Applications to attend STCW 95 classes at the SUP/Training Resources Ltd. site in San Diego are availableat every SUP hall, the SUP Welfare Plan and the An-drew Furuseth School of Seamanship.

There is no cost to any SUP member who takes thisnecessary training: just his or her time. Tuition, trans-portation, lodging and subsistence expenses are borneby the SUP Welfare Plan’ Training Fund.

Also those members interested in and committed toworking in SUP-contracted Patriot Contract Services’LMSRs on deck are urged to enroll in the next classwhich begins on April 17. All costs are covered as inthe STCW training program.

ACTION TAKEN

M/S to accept Foss Agreement. Carried unanimously.M/S to concur with the recommendation to elect Mark

Hurley to complete the 2001-2002 term as WilmingtonBranch Agent and a vote of thanks to Bill Berger.

M/S to accept the balance of the President’s report.Carried unanimously.

Gunnar Lundeberg

SUP President's Report continued

March 15, 2001The new LMSR/Patriot contracts have come with the

inevitable situations and confusing times that necessi-tate a union agent. The majority of the unlicensed creware unfamiliar to either SUP/MFOW style and contract.In addition, Patriot Contract Services has had to re-coordinate with MSC and our Unions to clarify con-tract and practices. The crews of the Yano, Shughartand Gordon have felt lucky to have Jack Stasko move tothe East Coast to facilitate these transitions and work asa port representative.

Every Thursday we get at least a drive-by hello fromRepresentative Jack to remind us he’s there to help us.He’s handed out business cards, like candy, to expandhis availability. When he hasn’t answered questions oraddressed problems on board, he’s answered calls in atimely manner to deal with them. When grievances andconflicts have arisen, he’s done his best to speak withcrew, officers, Headquarters, other port agents, and Pa-triot as appropriate in a prompt and graceful manner.Jack has been there to clarify the jobs of new bosunsand delegates. Keeping crews on board and happy, hasbeen difficult at times, yet Jack has don it, even with afew health issues.

The crews of the Yano, Shughart and Gordon wish toexpress hats off to Jack. We strongly feel his presencehas greatly eased our work situation in face of confusion.

The crews of the Yano, Shughart and Gordon

Letter to the editor

Page 20 WEST COAST SAILORS Friday, March 30, 2001

SUP Branch Reports

March 12, 2001Chief Gadao - Tom Koppel relieved

Ian McLeod as delegate; no problems.Ewa-Called a shift gang; still in lay-up.Kauai - John Kerlin, delegate: All in

good order.Manoa - Vince Estrada, delegate: This

chief mate has apparently fallen underthe thrall of Captain James Dykes in in-terpreting the contract on port prep. Col-lected the time and reiterated the needto avoid misassignments of sailor’s work,and the need to clear decks for the safetyof all hands after sailing from ports wherecargo has been worked.

Matsonia -Jon Morrell, delegate: routine.Mokihana - Dean Smith, delegate:

Gang was involved in weight testing theport lifeboat from 6:30 A.M. the morn-ing I was aboard. The sailors had to setoriginal lashings on departure Japan andalso Los Angeles.

Moku Pahu - In lay up.R.J. Pfeiffer - Jim Clay, delegate: In

good order.Chevron Colorado - Peter Bragg, del-

egate: In good shape.Chevron Mississippi - Will

February 2001The past two weeks in the Port of Nor-

folk has been extremely busy. The USNSYano returned from sea trials and wentinto ROS. Bosun Jim Bailey did an ex-cellent job and is now busy with COI in-spections and trying to get her ready forsea duty. The USNS Seay also is busywith sea trials, and will head for Balti-more and tie up alongside the USNSFisher, Robin Colonas, Bosun.

All of this past week I have been work-ing with Branch Agents both SUP andMFOW, gearing up for the turnovers tobe filled as our first wave of memberswill have 120 days in and have chosen totake a break. I must say “Job well done.”

On the USNS Shughart, Bosuns ChrisRodgers and then Rodelio Santos did afirst class job. Linda Cramp, Deck Del-egate, SUP style. The USNS Gordon, Bo-sun Mark Littlejohn along with DeckDelegate Rand Valdez, have kept this ship“running like a Singer sewing machine,”quiet and smooth. The USNS Gillilandis another quiet ship, with Bosun SteveCary in full control at NIT dock. TheUSNS Mendonca is still down in the BigEasy and will head up to the Norfolk areaaround the end of May. Bosun ErrolBrown and David Johnson delegate.

I also made the Chevron Arizona in Ft.Lauderdale. As always in tip-top shapewith Bosun Scott Oliphant and PaulSeager, delegate.

In the last two weeks shipped 1 bosun,5 AB’s, 2 OS’s. Jobs filled by 1 B and 6C cards.

The Norfolk office and members ob-served a moment of silence for Peter Oh.We were shipmates many times, also goodfriends. Smooth sailing, Aloha.

Jack Stasko

Norfolk Rep SUP/MFOW

NNNNNorororororfffffolk Ofolk Ofolk Ofolk Ofolk OfffffficeiceiceiceiceFebruary 20, 2001

Shipped the following during the period:1 Bosun return and 1 Bosun to USNS ships;10 AB’s filled by 7 A-cards to APL jobsand 3 C-cards to USNS ships; 1 oiler and1 utility to Chevron both registrants; 6standby’s taken by one A-card, 4 B-cardsand one MFOW member.

Registered during the period: 9 A cardsfor 21 total, 7 B cards for 24 total, and 6C cards for 16 total.

Ships checked APL Singapore, APL Korea, APL Thai-

land and APL Philippines found with littleor no trouble. R.J. Pfeiffer and Kauaidoing fine. Rigging loft checks out okay.Chevron Mississippi at Anacortes runningsmoothly.

Attended the Maritime Trades PortsCouncil meetings and the King CountyLabor Council meetings.

I met with U.S. Congressman RickLarsen who has been appointed to theCommittee on Transportation and Infra-structure. Along with discussing the JonesAct and the Passenger Services Act, weurged support of opening the Artic Na-tional Wildlife Refuge to responsible oil

SeattleSeattleSeattleSeattleSeattle

WilmingtonWilmingtonWilmingtonWilmingtonWilmingtonFebruary 20, 2001

Shipped during the period: 6 bosuns,13 ABs, 3 AB Maint., and 88 standbys,for a total of 110 jobs shipped.

Registration stands at 41 A cads, 33 Bcards, 13 C cards, and 12 D cards.

Ships checkedLurline, President Adams, President

Grant, Lihue, Manulani, President Polk,Maui, Mokihana, Manoa, PresidentJackson, Mahimahi, APL Korea, Presi-dent Wilson, and APL Thailand.

Bill Berger

Branch Agent

February 20, 2001During the month of January, dis-

patched the following jobs: 5 ABs, 2 ABreliefs. These jobs were filled by: 2 Amembers, 3 B members, 1 C member and1 D registrant. Also shipped 23 casualstandby jobs filled by: 8 B members, 5 Cmembers, and 10 D members. A total of30 jobs were dispatched in January.

During the month of January, registeredthe following members: 8 A members, 8B members, 2 C members, and 4 D reg-istrants. To date, we have 14 A members,7 B members, 6 C members, and 8 Dregistrants for a total of 35 registered.

Ships checkedMaui, Chief Gadao, Lurline, Manulani,

Matsonia, Lihue, Kauai, and the CapeGirardeau, all with few or no problems.The Cape Girardeau was in Pearl Har-bor three times running smoothly withDanny Foster as bosun.

Paint and Rigging gang also runningsmoothly with George Lua as bosun.

Attended the Honolulu Port Councilmeeting on February 1. On February 13,Hoover Chun, a retired member, passedaway. He was a good friend of the SUP .We will miss his laughter at the hall. Hewas cremated and will be buried at seaaboard the Lurline. Thank you CaptainRowland. Smooth sailing Hoover.

Mike Duvall, Branch Agent

DeckBosun .................................................. 4Carpenter ........................................... 0MM..................................................... 1AB ..................................................... 9OS ..................................................... 0Standby ............................................37Total Deck Jobs Shipped ................ 51Total Deck B, C, D Shipped ............ 5Engine/StewardQMED ................................................ 0Pumpman........................................... 0Oiler ................................................... 0Wiper.................................................. 0Steward............................................... 0Cook ................................................... 0Messman ........................................... 0Total E&S Jobs Shipped ................... 0Total E&S B, C, D Shipped.............. 0Total Jobs Shipped - All Depts. ..... 51Total B, C, D Shipped-All Depts. ..... 5Total Registered “A” ...................... 91Total Registered “B” ...................... 86Total Registered “C” ...................... 12Total Registered “D” ...................... 14

Dispatcher'sReport

Headquarters—Feb. 2001

HonoluluHonoluluHonoluluHonoluluHonolulu

San FSan FSan FSan FSan Frrrrrancisco Business Aancisco Business Aancisco Business Aancisco Business Aancisco Business Agentgentgentgentgent

exploration, which is an important issueto the U.S. maritime community.

The Sailors and Marine Fireman stoodwith Carpenters Local 131 when a non-union contractor illegally fired workersfor discussing union benefits.

If you have not registered for STCWclass give Rich Reed a phone call now at800.796.8003 as classes towards the endof the year are filling fast.

Vince O’Halloran

Branch Agent

Williamson, delegate: Great ship, goodgang, being on board reminds one of howmuch better the life at sea was when theships carried larger crews.

Chevron Washington - RichardZiemba, delegate: Mike Nielsen cameover from the Colorado to relieve MikeFox as bosun, due to a family emergency.

Ready Reserve Fleet-Alameda-Danny Foster, delegate: All in good or-der.

Cape Girardeau - Thanks to Tio Rojasfor the first class job of staying on top ofthe operation during the recent break out,and bringing her in clean. This vesseljust back form underway replenishmentexercises with the U.S. Navy. The SUPgang performed well—ship go goodmarks from top to bottom for the job.One of the ships that was replenished wasthe new carrier Abraham Lincoln whichhas a non-SUP crew, but the work wentsmoothly any way.

ASM Shore Gang - All in good order.President Adams - Richard Stinson

took over the delegate’s job from PhillipHowell. All in good order.

President Grant - Joseph Wolf, del-

egate: Good trip in spite of tight fistedmate.

President Jackson - Dennis Tinsley,delegate: Top ship.

President Kennedy - Did not call Oak-land this trip as she was reassigned tothe C-11 string.

President Polk - Charles Duke, del-egate, Joe McDonald, bosun: All is wellon this very fine vessel.

Foss Maritime - Tom Tynan and MikeWorth, co-delegates: Just concluded anew contract after long hard bargaining.

San Francisco Bar Pilots - RoyTufono, delegate: All hands seem to beadjusting to the new boat very well.

Bill Henneberry

Brother Lige Midkiff lining up the automatic washing equipment in the steam rack atAPL’s Middle Harbor Terminal in Oakland, Feb. 2001. Photo by Bill Henneberry

pension ranksThe following SUP members join

the rank of pensioner, bringing thetotal number of SUP members to1,079.

Richard A. Jones, 67, Book#4305, joined SUP in 1956, 20 yearsseatime.

Charles H. Wall, 73, Book #3420,joined SUP in 1945, 50 yearsseatime.

SUP members join

Attend yourUnion

Meetings!