Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (AFL-CIO) 444 N. Capitol Street, N.W., Suite 800 Washington, DC 20001-1570 Hot Off the Press TEL: (202) 257-2825 FAX: (202) 638-5369 To: All Ports From: Marco Cannistraro Total Pages Including Cover: 5 Date: 3/26/15 Telex Times #13 E-Mail: [email protected] w MARINE ENGINEERS’ BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION (AFL-CIO) “On Watch in Peace and War Since 1875” M.E.B.A. TELEX TIMES The Official Union Newsletter NUMBER 13 MARCH 26, 2015 In this issue//6th Annual Sail-In//MOLA Meeting at HQ//NMC Gap-Closing Requirement Policy//Cesar Chavez, Harry Bridges Holidays//APL Port Engineer Needed//FMC’s Doyle Confirmed for Five Years//Dues Arrears Notice//Cyber Attacks are a Threat to Shipping// MARITIME INDUSTRY PEPPERS CONGRESS ON ISSUES DURING 6TH ANNUAL SAIL-IN A cross-section of maritime industry representatives took to Capitol Hill on Tuesday for the 6th Annual Maritime Industry Congressional Sail-In. At least 100 industry advocates visited over 100 Members of Congress from both sides of the aisles to promote our issues and solidify support with lawmakers for the betterment of U.S. maritime. As usual, it was a grueling yet productive day on the Hill trumpeting the integral role of American mariners while warning Members that their assistance in the halls of Congress is key for the survival of U.S.-flag shipping. M.E.B.A. and AMC officials and staffers were sprinkled throughout 21 groups made up of representatives from various unions, companies and other associations appealing to Members of Congress at this critical juncture. Lawmakers were informed about the dire need for increased peacetime cargo to help sustain the foreign trade U.S.-flag fleet. They were reminded that their support of the Jones Act, Maritime Security Program and new Academy training vessels is critical. In addition, the rechartering of the Export-Import Bank was discussed and they were told that the program provides another source of cargo to U.S.-flag vessels. The Bank needs the approval of Congress to continue beyond June 30, 2015. Vocal and opinionated lawmakers on each side of the issue promise to make the fight over the Bank’s reauthorization a battle royale. As always, you are urged to write a letter or email your District and State legislators to urge them to do the right thing when it comes to the maritime industry. MOLA MEETING AT M.E.B.A. HQ M.E.B.A. met with MM&P principals on Wednesday in advancement of the Merchant Officers Labor Alliance (MOLA). Officials from the unions gathered at M.E.B.A. Headquarters to further examine how they can pool resources on like-minded endeavors to the benefit of both memberships. The MOLA’s Joint Operating Committee, made up of three top officials from each union, had a positive and productive session that delved into a multitude of issues and initiatives. Topics discussed included the sharing of union halls, the Pass-Through and Tri-Partite agreements, common contracts and the Military to Mariner program, among other items. The MOLA was formed between the unions almost a decade ago to strengthen our organizations with an eye toward securing stronger contracts and increased job security. The unions seek to achieve this by working together to cut costs, strengthen the positions of both organizations in the maritime industry and present a united front on Capitol Hill. Before this meeting, the parties last met in December and plan to meet again soon. -1- Taking part in Wednesday’s meeting were M.E.B.A.’s President Marshall Ainley, Executive V.P. Adam Vokac and Secretary-Treasurer Bill Van Loo. From the MM&P were President Don Marcus, Secretary-Treasurer Steve Werse and Pacific Ports V.P. Dave Boatner. NMC CLARIFIES STCW POLICY ON “GAP-CLOSING” REQUIREMENTS The National Maritime Center has issued guidance concerning additional training/assessments for certain STCW endorsements required after regulatory changes made a year ago. Mariners with STCW endorsements secured under the previous regulatory requirements need to show evidence of meeting the “gap closing” requirements or their endorsements could end up being limited to “Not valid after 31 Dec. 2016.” NMC notes that STCW gap-closing requirements “do not affect limitation or retention of national endorsements.” The NMC policy for processing applications with and without gap--closing requirements is stated on their website at www.uscg.mil/nmc/announcements/pdfs/stcw_gapclosing_bulletin.pdf A list of STCW endorsements with gap-closing requirements follows: Management Level (Master, Chief Mate - II/2, II/3) • Leadership and Managerial Skills • ECDIS (To be valid on vessels equipped with ECDIS) Management Level (Chief Engineer, 1st A/E - III/2, III/3) • Engine Resource Management (ERM) if not completed at the operational level • Leadership and Managerial Skills • Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment Operational Level (OICNW - II/1, II/3) • Leadership and Teamwork Skills • ECDIS (To be valid on vessels equipped with ECDIS) Operational Level (OICEW - III/1) • ERM • Leadership and Teamwork Skills NMC notes that mariners who have STCW endorsements removed or date-limited because gapclosing requirements were not completed, may have those STCW endorsements restored or the date removed at any time by submitting a new application with evidence of meeting all gapclosing requirements. Further questions and clarifications are available from the NMC help line at 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662) or [email protected]. HOLIDAY SCHEDULE NEXT WEEK; CESAR CHAVEZ, HARRY BRIDGES West Coast Union halls will be closed on Tuesday, March 31st to honor labor leader César Chávez upon the occasion of his birthday. In the early 1950s Chávez battled racial and economic discrimination, coordinated voter registration drives and fought for better working conditions. He was known for his use of non-violent tactics and he made the farm workers’ struggle a moral cause with nationwide support. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962 that was chartered by the AFL-CIO four years later. This would later become the United Farm Workers (UFW). César Chávez gained international notoriety as he led boycotts and fasted to bring attention to wretched labor conditions and unfair contracts. He died in 1993. In addition, the Honolulu Union hall will be closed on Monday, March 30th for Harry Bridges Memorial Day marking 25 years since the labor giant died. Bridges’ involvement in the crisis on -2- the San Francisco waterfront during the events of Bloody Thursday in 1934 led to vastly improved labor conditions. He helped establish the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union (ILWU) in 1937. Harry led the union for over 40 years. He died in 1990. APL PORT ENGINEER AND/OR ASST. P.E. (TEMP./PERM.) NEEDED American President Lines has opportunities for interested and qualified personnel for the position of Port Engineer and/or Assistant Port Engineer (Temporary/Permanent). The candidates should hold a valid license. Previous shoreside experience is a plus. The positions will be located in Oakland, California. Qualified personnel should submit their resumes to: John Dragone at [email protected] and Christian Yuhas, Oakland M.E.B.A. Patrolman at [email protected]. FMC’S DOYLE CONFIRMED TO NEW 5-YEAR TERM The Federal Maritime Commission’s William Doyle has been confirmed for a five-year term as Commissioner after Senators voted in his favor 89-0 this week. Doyle has served as one of the five FMC Commissioners since January 2013 when he took over the expiring term of Joseph Brennan. Bill Doyle got his start in the industry sailing around the world as an M.E.B.A. engineer. He worked at our Headquarters in Washington D.C. for almost eight years before his FMC appointment. His renomination for a new term had been sitting for over a year before this week’s Senate action. The new term is retroactive to the expiration of his initial term and will run until June 2018. Congrats Bill! THOSE IN DUES ARREARS WILL BE DROPPED Members or applicants two years in arrears on their dues and/or service charges will be put under review by the District Investigating Committee (DIC) and DROPPED from the membership or applicant rolls. The DIC issues their drop list in June. If you are in arrears and desire to retain your membership or applicant status, you must contact Headquarters immediately to make payment on your arrearage and return to good standing. Members and applicants can make payments online in a secure manner. Visit the M.E.B.A. homepage at www.mebaunion.org. CYBER-ATTACKS A THREAT TO THE INDUSTRY Last year was the safest year of shipping in the last decade with only 75 vessels lost (sinkings/strandings/explosions) worldwide, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE’s (AGCS) reported in their third annual Safety and Shipping Review. Shipping losses have declined by 50% since 2005. However, cyber risks pose new challenges to shipping in the future. “A cyber-attack targeting technology onboard, in particular electronic navigation systems, could possibly lead to a total loss or even involve several vessels from one company,” said Sven Gerhard, Global Product Leader Hull & Marine Liabilities, AGCS. Other scenarios include cyber criminals targeting a major port, closing terminals, or interfering with containers or confidential data. Such attacks could also result in significant business interruption costs, notwithstanding liability or reputational losses. “Cyber risk may be in its infancy in the sector today,” noted Captain Rahul Khanna. “But ships and ports could become enticing targets for hackers in the future. Companies must simulate potential scenarios and identify appropriate mitigation strategies.” -3- SIGN UP FOR M.E.B.A. VACATION PLAN DIRECT DEPOSIT Visit M.E.B.A. Plans website (www.mebaplans.org under Forms, Vacation). Contact (800) 8116322 or [email protected] for more info. M.E.B.A. DATABASE UPDATE Make sure to help update our database with your latest info. Fill out the form at a hall or online at http://mebaunion.org/update.pdf REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS Monday, April 6 – Boston@1200; Seattle@1300; Tuesday, April 7 – Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School@1430; Charleston@1400; Houston@1315; San Francisco (Oakland)@1230; Wednesday, April 8 – Jacksonville@1300; New Orleans@1315; Thursday, April 9 – L.A. (Wilmington)@1230; New York (New Jersey)@1300; Norfolk@1430; Tampa@1300; Friday, April 10 – Honolulu@1100. -----FINISHED WITH ENGINES----- -4-
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