The Seafarers International Union (SIU), the largest shipboard labor union in North America, endorsed Congressman Steny Hoyer in his campaign for the Democratic nomination in the Fifth District of Maryland. “There are few members of Congress who have consistently and effectively advocated on behalf of the men and women of…
May
15
May
14
Update for SIU Members At least 22 mariners aboard the Military Sealift Command vessel USNS Leroy Grumman have tested positive for COVID-19. The vessel’s crew includes CIVMARS from the SIU Government Services Division. The Grumman has been in a Boston shipyard since January. All crew members recently were evacuated from…
May
11
The following advisory was issued by the Maritime Administration on May 11. U.S. MARITIME ADVISORY 2020-008 Threat Type: Vessel Attacks Geographic Area: Southern Gulf of Mexico 1. Reference: U.S. Maritime Alert 2020-004A 2. Issue: The U.S. government is aware of at least 20 fishing vessels and 35 oil platforms and…
May
08
The following video has been posted by the U.S. Department of Transportation: https://youtu.be/hb5IKU83_8U
May
06
U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) and Elaine Luria (D-Virginia) are reminding fellow members of Congress that the U.S. Merchant Marine is vital to national, economic and homeland security. Luria on May 5 hosted a press call featuring Hoyer along with American maritime industry leaders, including SIU Executive Vice President Augie…
May
05
During the course of this COVID-19 pandemic, the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan has relaxed certain time limits for COBRA coverage and for the submission of appeals for denied medical claims. For detailed information on these changes, you can contact the claims department or the membership assistance department at 800…
May
04
With the COVID-19 pandemic dominating the news cycle, it can be easy to forget that 2020 is an election year. (Okay, maybe not easy, but at least possible.) The following information (accurate as of May 4, 2020) outlines which states allow for some form of alternative voting. Absentee Voting Laws…
May
01
The coalition USA Maritime, to which the SIU is affiliated, has posted the following news item. The SIU is signatory to the letter that's linked at the end of the post. USA MARITIME URGES CONGRESS TO PRIORITIZE SEALIFT READINESS IN COVID-19 RELIEF LEGISLATION The USA Maritime Coalition is calling on…
May
01
From the American Maritime Partnership, to which the SIU is affiliated: The Jones Act Blocks China’s Plan for Global Domination Frontiers of Freedom recently published a new report, “The Jones Act Blocks China’s Plan for Global Domination,” authored by former U.S. Congressman Ernest Istook, a distinguished fellow with the policy…
May
01
U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Virginia) recently contacted House and Senate leaders with an urgent message to support the U.S.-flag maritime industry. A news release from Rep. Luria's office appears below and is available on her office's website HERE The full letter mentioned in the release is linked in the last…