The newly enacted federal budget passed by Congress and signed by President Trump includes the full $300 million funding for the Maritime Security Program (MSP). This will allocate $5 million during Fiscal Year 2018 for each of the 60 vessels in the MSP fleet. Established in 1996, the MSP ensures…
Mar
28
Mar
28
First-term U.S. Rep. John Rutherford (R-Florida) stood up for the Jones Act during a March 15 hearing conducted by the House Homeland Security Committee. The hearing’s main topic was “Preparedness, Response, and Rebuilding: Lessons from the 2017 Disasters.” During his time to question Federal Emergency Management Administrator Brock Long,…
Mar
28
Seafarers-contracted Crowley Maritime has posted the following story and photos. The cargo eventually will be transported aboard SIU-crewed vessels. Additionally, as noted in the news release, LNG will power the company’s two new combination container/roll-on roll-off ships for the U.S. mainland to Puerto Rico trade (the vessels El Coquí and…
Mar
22
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) issued the following news release on March 20. The SIU is a partner in Operation Agua. Operation Agua Continues as Lifeline to Bring Access to Safe Drinking Water to Children and Families in Puerto Rico Partnership surpasses 75 percent mark of goal of 100,000…
Mar
19
The U.S. Military Sealift Command has proposed a pilot program to test a crewing model concept which would, among other things, assign CIVMARS to the same vessel for two years and allow the captain to determine when a CIVMAR leaves the vessel for leave, vacation and training. You have an…
Mar
19
SIU-contracted Crowley Maritime issued the following news release on March 19. New Video: Six Months After Hurricane Maria, Crowley Continues Logistics Work Aiding in Puerto Rico’s Recovery It has been six months since Hurricane Maria crashed into Puerto Rico leaving a path of destruction and misery. And since then, Crowley Maritime…
Mar
19
SIU Assistant Vice President Bryan Powell has been unanimously elected to serve as secretary-treasurer of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority. The port authority’s board of directors voted for Powell on March 16. Board members serve four-year terms, without compensation. Powell has been on the board since March 2017. For more…
Mar
15
Dangerous Banking Bill Could Lead to Working People Paying for More Bailouts Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka in response to the passage of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act: It’s no wonder that working people are fed up with Washington when the only legislation that can…
Mar
15
The AFL-CIO, to which the SIU is affiliated, issued the following news release on March 13. Pennsylvania’s 18th District Proves Path to Power Runs Through the Labor Movement Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on union members propelling Conor Lamb to victory in Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District:Congratulations to Rep.-elect Conor…
Mar
12
The American Maritime Partnership (AMP) issued the following news release on March 9. The SIU is an affiliate of AMP. ICYMI: Military and Transportation Leaders Highlight Importance of American Mariners and Jones Act During House Armed Forces Subcommittee Hearing The House Armed Forces Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces and…