Home | About Us | Political | West Coast Sailors | Constitution | Training | History
Bulletin Board | SUP Welfare Plan | Apparel | Links | Contact Us

Archive Issues

(Return to Current Issues)

August 2007 (PDF - 1.00M)
Sailors’ Union blasts Coast Guard rule allowing foreigners to work in Hawai’i cruiseships
A provision in the massive National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 passed in the dying days of the Republican-controlled 109th Congress, has capsized nearly a century of maritime law regarding citizenship requirements for merchant mariners in U.S.-flag vessels.
July 2007 (PDF - 0.69M)
Maritime labor testifies at TWIC oversight hearing
In a testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on July 12, the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific, and other maritime unions, told members of Congress that the implementation of the long-delayed Transportation Worker Identification Credential program must enhance the security of the Nation’s transportation system, but must also preserve the legitimate rights of workers.
June 2007 (PDF - 0.84M)
Sailor airlifted from Manulani
On June 2, 2007 a medi cal evacuation by heli copter took place aboard Matson Navigation Company’s m/v Manulani.
May 2007 (PDF - 0.75M)
Mississippi Voyager joins Chevron’s U.S.-flag fleet with Sailors’ Union aboard in all unlicensed departments
Ending more than thirty years of declining tonnage under its house flag, Chevron Shipping Company embarked on a new era in its long history as its newest tankship —the Mississippi Voyager— loaded refined product at Richmond Long Wharf and sailed for Barber’s Point, Hawai’i.
April 2007 (PDF - 0.55M)
Delays in TWIC implementation draws fire in Congress
A top Homeland Security Department, testifying before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on April 12, could not assure lawmakers that a congressional deadline will be met to begin issuing Transportation Worker Identification Credentials for maritime workers.
March 2007 (PDF - 0.81M)
TWIC deadlines draw near
The implementation phase of the Transportation Workers’ Identification Credential, or TWIC, is imminent.
February 2007 (PDF - 1.00M)
Major regulatory changes at international STCW meeting
IMO Sub-committee initiates new competences and seatime requirements for unlicensed mariners.
January 2007 (PDF - 0.67M)
Transport Workers’ ID Card Final Rule released by gov’t
In another development that will forever change the credentialing of the United States’ maritime workforce, the Transportation Security Administration released an advance copy of the Final Rule in the rulemaking that will establish the Transportation Workers’ Identification Card or TWIC.
December 2006 (PDF - 0.73M)
Frisco ferry workers fight for jobs and justice on the Alcatraz Island run
A hole was blown in San Francisco’s formerly solid Union waterfront when the federal government recently awarded the contract for the ferry run to Alcatraz Island to a non-Union company.

November 2006 (PDF - 0.87M)
GAO cites serious deficiencies in transport worker ID card
According to a recently released General Accountability Office (GAO) report to Congress, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must address and solve key challenges before implementing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program.
October 2006 (PDF - 0.77M)
Port security legislation enacted
On September 30, the Senate passed and on October 13, President Bush signed into law the Security and Accountability for Every Port (SAFE Port) Act of 2006 (H.R. 4954)
September 2006 (PDF - 0.78M)
APL returns to East Coast
After an absence of 29 years, SUP-contracted American President Lines resumed U.S.-flag liner service to the East Coast with the arrival of the C-10 class vessel President Adams at Port Newark Container Terminal, New Jersey, on August 27.
August 2006 (PDF - 0.85M)
Legislation kills U.S. Customs ruling that taxed repair work at sea
Just prior to the Congress recessing for a month, Senator Trent Lott (R-Mississippi) added language to the pension reform bill that exempts U.S.-flag operators from paying the 50 percent ad valorem duty on equipment purchase abroad for repairs made in U.S.-flag vessels by U.S. mariners outside of the United States.
July 2006 (PDF - 0.91M)
New Matson containership Maunalei delivered
Matson Navigation Company’s fourth new vessel in three years was delivered to the company from her builder, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, on July 12.
June 2006 (PDF - 0.84M)
Sailors’ Union responds to federal goverment’s proposal for new credentials for maritime workers
In response to the U.S. government’s proposal to issue Transportation Workers’ Identification Credentials and the Coast Guard’s proposal to issue Merchant Mariners’ Credentials to replace Merchant Mariner’s Documents, SUP Vice President Dave Connolly testified before representatives of the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Agency and the Coast Guard at a public hearing in Long Beach, California, on June 7, giving the Sailors’ Union’s views on the regulatory changes.
May 2006 (PDF - 0.70M)
Chevron Shipping to charter three tankers
Company officials informed the Sailors’ Union on May 5, that it had entered into a long-term bareboat charter arrangement to acquire three U.S.-built Double Eagle class tankers. The Company intends to operate the ships in the Jones Act trade with SUP crews in all three unlicensed departments.
April 2006 (PDF - 0.79M)
Congress scuttles shipowner scheme to employ foreigners in U.S.-flag ships
United States merchant mariners won a historic victory this month when Congress stripped language from the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005 (H.R. 889) that would have permitted the unlimited use of foreign nationals to perform maintenance and repair work in U.S.-flag vessels in the international trades.
March 2006 (PDF - 0.74M)
New United Nations treaty seeks to guarantee mariner labor rights
The International Labor Organization, overwhelmingly adopted a comprehensive new labor standard for the world’s maritime sector.
February 2006 (PDF - 0.78M)
Foreign operation of U.S. ports prompts strong congressional opposition
The prospect of Dubai Ports World, a company owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), operating six United States seaports has sparked outrage across the country and strong bipartisan opposition in both houses of Congress.
January 2006 (PDF - 0.80M)
Heavy weather injures four sailors aboard s/s Matsonia
In one of the worst injury incidents aboard an SUP-contracted ship in recent memory, the Matsonia on the 19th of December, took a wave over the bow while four sailors and the Chief Mate were working there to secure a hatch. Miraculously, none were swept over the side, and though all sustained serious injuries they remain in stable condition.
December 2005 (PDF - 0.63M)
Legislators assert flag-of-convenience cruise line ripped-off U.S. government
Legislators from both houses of Congress—and political parties—are turning up the heat on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for its now infamous $236 million contract with Carnival Cruise Lines to house Hurricane Katrina evacuees from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.
November 2005 (PDF - 0.67M)
Foreign workers aboard U.S.-flag vessels opposed by Coast Guard
Confirming the Sailors’Union’s opposition to a provision in the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005 (H.R. 889) that would allow U.S.-flag shipowners on international voyages to employ foreign nationals as maintenance and repair “riding gangs,” the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security have issued strongly worded position papers also in opposition to this House of Representatives passed legislation.
November 2005 (PDF - 0.52M)
SUP Election Supplement
Elections of Officers and Constitutional Amendments Referendum
December 2005-January 2006
October 2005 (PDF - 0.74M)
Shipowners press Congress to allow foreigners to work in U.S.-flag ships
Legislation that could decimate the American workforce in U.S.-flag ships in the international trades has pitted most of maritime labor against a coalition of avaricious shipowners.
September 2005 (PDF - 0.86M)
Jones Act foreign tanker exemption revoked; farmers now want a waiver
Katrina, President Bush suspended the Jones Act on September 1, to allow foreign-built, foreign-flagged and foreign-crewed tankers to carry cargo between American ports to “help distribute oil and gasoline where it is needed.”
August 2005 (PDF - 0.85M)
SUP jobs increase with MarAd Ready Reserve Force awards
The membership of the Sailors’ Union gained additional work when the Maritime Administration on July 28, announced new contracts for vessels in the government’s Ready Reserve Force (RRF) fleet.
July 2005 (PDF - 0.72M)
American President Lines will operate U.S.-flag vessels and adopt & assume American Ship Management agreements
Resolving an issue that has haunted sailors aboard its ships for over a year, American President Lines, Ltd. notified its contracted seagoing Unions on July 13 that effective October 1, 2005, it would again be operating the APL U.S.-flag fleet directly through an affiliated company, APL Marine Services, Ltd.
June 2005 (PDF - 0.80M)
Matson’s stonewalling prompts SUP strike vote: health care is the issue
In a coastwise vote held at Union Headquarters on June 17, and at the Seattle, Wilmington and Honolulu Branches on June 20, the membership of the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific unanimously voted in favor of authorizing a strike against Matson Navigation Company—if necessary.
May 2005 (PDF - 0.72M)
LMSR injunction rejected by Frisco judge
In a misguided and muddled opinion, Judge Martin Jenkins of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco on May 16, denied Patriot Contract Services’ motion for a preliminary injunction to stop the transfer of SUP-crewed LMSR vessels to AMSEA.
April 2005 (PDF - 0.63M)
World Trade Organization talks threaten U.S. domestic shipping laws
The United States will come under new diplomatic pressure to ease, or surrender, its domestic shipping laws during forthcoming multilateral service trade negotiations.
March 2005 (PDF - 0.69M)
Matson set to acquire two more ships from Philly yard
In a bold move that blocks other companies from entering the Hawai’i container trade and continues its service to Guam, Matson Navigation Company announced that it has entered into cash-on-delivery purchase contracts for two new containerships.
February 2005 (PDF - 0.76M)
New carrier slated to enter Hawai’i trade this year
A new carrier, OceanBlue Express, will enter the Hawai’i trade this year headed by C. Bradley Mulholland, former President and CEO of Matson Navigation.
January 2005 (PDF - 0.71M)
Maritime Security Program agreements awarded; APL retains current nine vessels
The Maritime Administra tion on January 12, announced the awards of new Maritime Security Program (MSP) operating agreements that will go into effect on October 1, 2005.
December 2004 (PDF - 0.73M)
Customs service rule taxing repairs in American-flag vessels repealed
An onerous rule promulgated by the U.S. Customs Service in 2001 which severely penalized U.S.-flag shipping, was overturned this month when President Bush signed the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Correction Act of 2004 (H.R. 4047)
November 2004 (PDF - 0.70M)
USNS Shughart crew cited for heroism in fighting fire
On November 5, SUP member Tim Hill, who was bosun aboard the Shughart at the time of the fire, accepted a plaque on behalf of the crew.
October 2004 (PDF - 0.91M)
MarAd receives MSP applications — APL and Matson apply for slots
As of the October 15, deadline for submitting applications to the Maritime Administration for participation in the new Maritime Security Program, 25 companies have submitted applications for 142 vessels to be enrolled, although only 60 ships are authorized under the enabling legislation.
September 2004 (PDF - 0.73M)
Military Sealift Command blunders in LMSR Award —Patriot Contract Services files protest with government
In a misguided decision that jeopardizes sealift readiness of the United States, the Military Sealift Command (MSC) on August 31, awarded Large Medium Speed Roll-on/Roll-off (LMSR) vessels to American Overseas Maritime Corporation (AMSEA), a subsidiary of General Dynamics. Two other LMSRs were awarded to a company named 3PSC of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
August 2004 (PDF - 0.82M)
Senate and House members strongly oppose WTO limits on U.S. food aid
Strong opposition has been developing in recent weeks in the U.S. Congress to a proposal by European Union nations, Canada, and Australia to limit existing United States food aid programs.
July 2004 (PDF - 0.81M)
New Maunawili christened in Philly slated for Matson’s Mainland-Hawai’i service
On July 17, 2004 at the Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard (KPSI), Matson Navigation Company christened its newest ship, the m/v Maunawili. Meaning “winding mountain” in Hawaiian, the ship is the second in the CV 2600 Manukai-class, and the third Matson ship to bear the Maunawili name. She will be crewed on deck by members of the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific.
June 2004 (PDF - 0.76M)
U.S. Merchant Marine honored in World War II memorial
The new National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. dedicated on May 29 includes a tribute to the United States Merchant Marine.
May 2004 (PDF - 0.84M)
Waiver of cargo preference statutes threatens American defense, security, economy and U.S.-flag merchant marine
A proposal by two government acquisition councils to waive cargo preference laws for contracts and subcontracts involving the ocean transportation of “Commercially Available Off-The Shelf” (COTS) items would seriously threaten the Nation’s defense, security, and economy, by destroying a major portion of the U.S.-flag merchant marine.
April 2004 (PDF - 0.78M)
Maritime labor objects to U.S. Coast Guard’s proposal on merchant mariner documents
In response to the U.S. Coast Guard’s proposed interim rule that would exacerbate the issuance of merchant mariner document by placing further burdensome regulations on American mariners, the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific, the American Maritime Officers, the Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific (ILWU), the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, the Maritime Engineers Beneficial Association, the Marine Firemen’s Union, the Seafarers International Union-AGLIWD and the AFL-CIO’s Maritime Trades Department submitted comments to the Coast Guard voicing strong objections to the proposed rule.
March 2004 (PDF - 1.68M)
Andrew Furuseth Special Edition
With this special edition of the West Coast Sailors, the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific proudly honors the memory of Andrew Furuseth who was born 150 years ago this month.
March 2004 (PDF - 0.72M)
Norwegians honor Andrew Furuseth
In brisk weather on March 12, hundreds of Norwegians gathered in Asbygda, Norway at noon, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific’s crusading leader Andrew Furuseth.
February 2004 (PDF - 0.90M)
AFL-CIO endorses John Kerry for President of the United States
The American Union movement endorsed Senator John Kerry (D-MA) for president on February 19, at a meeting of the AFL-CIO General Board.
January 2004 (PDF - 0.67M)
U.S. merchant marine again responds as armed forces rotate troops and equipment in Iraq
U.S.-flag ships crewed by U.S. citizen
merchant mariners have embarked on a new round of sailings to support the rotation of U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq and the postwar rebuilding of that nation, according to the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, which is headed by Vice Admiral David L. Brewer III, USN.
December 2003 (PDF - 0.79M)
Coast Guard Commandant urges elimination of substandard ships
Admiral Thomas H. Collins, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard has called for the elimination of substandard ships on the world’s sea lanes.
November 2003 (PDF - 0.26M)
House and Senate pass new maritime security fleet bill
Landmark legislation passed both houses of Congress this month which will be the successor to the Maritime Security Program (MSP).
October 2003 (PDF - 0.96M)
Sailors and Firemen urge Congress to kill Jones Act repeal legislation
In the wake of the introduction of three bills in the House of Representatives by Congressman Ed Case (D-HI) that would repeal the Jones Act, the SUP and the MFOW fired off a letter to Don Young (R-AK), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, urging that the proposed legislation be “filed and flushed.”
September 2003 (PDF - 0.86M)
NO on the Recall—Yes on Bustamante
At a Special Convention of the California Labor Federation in Manhattan Beach on August 26, 539 delegates representing two million organized workers, voted unanimously to reaffirm labor’s position for a strong NO vote on the recall of Governor Gray Davis, slated for October 7.
August 2003 (PDF - 1.10M)
Legislation to nullify the Jones Act introduced by Hawai’i Congressman
Representative Ed Case (D-HI) introduced three bills in the House of Representatives that would gut the Jones Act provisions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, the cornerstone of U.S. cabotage and maritime policy.
July 2003 (PDF - 0.97M)
Maritime Security Program passes Senate committee
Legislation that provides for a new Maritime Security Program (MSP) to replace the current program when it expires on September 30, 2005, was unanimously approved by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on June 26.
June 2003 (PDF - 1.38M)
Manukai slated for christening next month
After months of vacillating on whether to purchase two containerships being built at Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard, Matson Navigation Company will christen the first vessel— m/v Manukai— on July 12.
May 2003 (PDF - 1.42M)
Matson finally commits to owning and operating Manukai-class ships
Matson Navigation Company issued a press release on May 20 stating that it will “own and operate” the two Manukai-class vessels currently under construction at Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard.
April 2003 (PDF - 1.38M)
SUP and MFOW reach agreement with Matson
Contentious negotiations result in work in new Hawai’i ships and maintenance of the existing fleet.

March 2003 (PDF - 1.51M)
Matson double-deals on new Hawai’i ships; SUP & MFOW denounce Union-busting scheme—charges filed with the NLRB
Matson Navigation Company has threatened not to purchase two vessels being built at Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard but will instead time-charter them back from a new owner with lower crew costs.
February 2003 (PDF - 1.36M)
Senator Breaux urges MSP reauthorization
In a hard-hitting speech this month in Washington, Senator John Breaux (D-LA) underscored the need to reauthorize the Maritime Sec-urity Program (MSP) prior to the legislation’s expiration on September 30, 2005.
January 2003 (PDF - 0.71M)
Flag-of-convenience fleet linked to al Qaeda terrorist network
U.S. intelligence officials have identified approximately 15 ships around the world that they believe are controlled by Osama bin Laden’s al Qaeda.
December 2002 (PDF - 1.12M)
Defense Department’s reliance on foreign-flag ships weakens security
The Department of Defense’s (DOD) use of foreign-flag ships crewed by non-U.S. citizen seafarers to transport military equipment and supplies represents a major weakness in DOD’s force protection system aimed at securing the nation from terrorists acts at U.S. seaports.
November 2002 (PDF - 0.57M)
Maritime Transportation Security Act passes Congress; President will sign
Statute requires additional mariner identification and background checks
Sweeping legislation aimed at improving security at U.S. seaports and preventing terrorist acts was approved by Congress on November 14 and is expected to be signed by President Bush.
October 2002 (PDF - 1.22M)
Taft-Hartley Act imposed after employer locks out West Coast longshore workers
On October 16, U.S. District Judge William Alsup invoked the provisions of the anti-Union Taft-Hartley Act and issued an injunction that prohibits strikes or lockouts during an 80-day “cooling off” while representatives of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) attempt to reach agreement for a new contract. Alsup’s decision followed a temporary restraining order issued on October 8, which compelled waterfront employers to open up 29 affected West Coast ports and allow longshoremen to return to work.
September 2002 (PDF - 0.74M)
MarAd cracks down on use of foreign ships transporting U.S. military equipment
The Maritime Administration (MarAd) launched an investigation that led to recommendations designed to stop the transportation of American military cargoes aboard foreign-flag vessels.
August 2002 (PDF - 0.54M)
Patriot files protest over LMSR award to Maersk
In the wake of the award of eight Large Medium-Speed Roll-On/Roll-Off (LMSR) vessels to Maersk Lines, Ltd. by the Military Sealift Command early this month, Patriot Contract Services, a division of American Ship Management, filed a protest with the General Accounting Office requesting that the award be suspended pending a thorough review and investigation.
July 2002 (PDF - 0.57M)
House panel holds hearing on Maritime Security Program reauthorization
The House Armed Services Committee’s Special Oversight Panel on the Merchant Marine on July 16, held its first in a series of hearings aimed at reauthorizing the Maritime Security Program (MSP) prior to its expiration on September 30, 2005.
June 2002 (PDF - 0.56M)
Matson buys two new containerships for the Hawai’i trades—commits to fleet replacement program
On May 29, Matson Navigation Company signed a contract with Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard for two new containerships. The first vessel under construction is scheduled for delivery in June 2003. The second in April 2004.

May 2002 (PDF - 0.76M)
Sailors’ Union submits testimony to Congressional committees on maritime and port security
In response to the national concern for maritime security and legislation that is pending in Congress, the SUP last month, upon request, submitted written testimony to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
April 2002 (PDF - 1.39M)
Slave conditions prompt mutiny at sea aboard FOC vessel
The death of a ship's captain on the high seas has brought questions of international law and maritime labor abuse to a U.S. court.
March 2002 (PDF - 1.40M)
Maritime Administrator testifies in support of MSP renewal
In testimony this month before the House Oversight Panel on the Merchant Marine, Maritime Administrator William Schubert reaffirmed the Bush Administration’s support of the Maritime Security Program.
February 2002 (PDF - 1.19M)
Economic expediency subverts maritime safety and U.S. domestic security
In the wake of the IMO's decision not to fully enforce the International Convention for STCW 95 until July 31, 2002, and the U.S. Coast Guard’s determination that the vast majority of American merchant mariners must have been in compliance with the Convention by February 1, the Coast Guard called a meeting of seagoing maritime labor.
January 2002 (PDF - 0.93M)
IMO gives FOC states six-month break on STCW compliance, but not the U.S.
The STCW Subcommittee of the IMO meeting in London on Jan. 24, agreed to issue a circular letter to port state authorities to issue warnings to flag states not in compliance with the Feb. 1 STCW 95 requirements, however U.S. merchant mariners must be STCW certified by Feb. 1, 2002.
December 2001 (PDF - 0.65M)
Existence of al-Qaeda controlled FOC fleet identified by Norwegian intelligence
This month it was reported that Western intelligence has identified 20 merchant vessels believed to be linked to Osama bin Laden, which could now be subject to arrest at ports all over the world.
November 2001 (PDF - 1.19M)
Legislation to aid US-flag fleet introduced in the House
In a move to liberate the U.S. Merchant Marine from restrictive and damaging federal tax and regulatory burdens, Congressman James Oberstar introduced on November 8, the Merchant Marine Cost Parity Act of 2001.
October 2001 (PDF - 0.67M)
Port and maritime security measures high on Congressional agenda
In the aftermath of the events of September 11, Congress is beginning the legislative process to increase security in the nation’s ports and maritime borders.
September 2001 (PDF - 1.24M)
President Bush declares “We’re at War”
In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President Bush has declared that the United States of America is at war.
Congress acted swiftly and with resolve on September 14, approving a $40 billion emergency spending bill to respond to the attacks and giving the president sweeping authority to retaliate against those responsible.

August 2001 (PDF - 0.82M)
Federal drug & alcohol testing policy draws fire from maritime industry
The U.S. Department of Transportation has implemented a draconian and invasive new rule regarding drug and alcohol testing records for merchant mariners.
July 2001 (PDF - 1.97M)
US Customs decision to tax repair work at sea threatens merchang marine
The U.S. Customs Service has published a Final Rule that requires that equipment purchased foreign for repairs made by U.S.-flag vessels when they are outside of the U.S., including maintenance and repair while these vessels are on the high seas, are subject to declaration, entry and payment of a 50% ad valorem duty.
June 2001 (PDF - 1.45M)
SUP Constitution Committee considers ballot resolutions
The SUP Committee on Constitution met at Headquarters to review, consider and make recommendations on the nine proposed amendments to the SUP Constitution and the ten proposed amendments to the SUP Shipping Rules.
May 2001 (PDF - 1.42M)
Mobilization underway in support of Maritime Security Program
Congressional leaders, unions, industry, urge full funding, maintenance of citizenship requirements; oppose transfer from MarAd to Department of Defense.
The annual fight to fund the Maritime Security Program (MSP) is ongoing in Washington, D.C. and across the country as Congress tackles President Bush’s fiscal year 2002 budget.
April 2001 (PDF - 1.32M)
Slavery at sea--still a reality for many mariners
A report released in March by the International Commission On Shipping (ICONS) states that thousands of seafarers in 10 to 15 percent of the world's ships work in slave conditions.
March 2001 (PDF - 0.98M)
President Bush's proposed maritime budget draws fire
The Bush Administration's proposed budget would severly hamper the development of the U.S. Merchant Marine. According to the Office of Management and Budget's "Blueprint for New Beginnings"...
March 2001 (PDF - 1.41M)
March Supplement Harry Lundeberg Centennial
Andrew Furuseth made sailors men, but Harry Lundeberg gave them lives worth living. No one, not even Furuseth, did more to improve the basic facts of life for those who go to sea...
February 2001 (PDF - 0.42M)
SUP gang in Cape Girardeau shines in U.S. Navy exercise
The SUP gang in the Ready Reserve Force vessel Cape Girardeau has won high praise from all quarters for its outstanding performance in training exercises with the U.S. Navy.
January 2001 (PDF - 1.46M)
Sailors' Union & Chevron Shipping Bargain New Milestone Agreement
Gains achieved in wages, overtime, vacation and benefits.
December 2000 (PDF - 0.39M)
President-Elect Bush backs strong Maritime Industry.
Declares support for the Jones Act and Maritime Security Program.
President-elect George W. Bush has indicated his strong support for the U.S.
merchant marine.
November 2000 (PDF - 1.91M)
Sailors’ on deck in three more LMSRs
Additional ships on the horizon in December Patriot Contract Services, a
division of American Ship Management, took delivery of three more Large
Medium Speed Roll-On/Roll-Off (LMSR) ves-sels on November 10 in Norfolk,
Virginia, with members of the SUP crewing the unlicensed deck department.
October 2000 (PDF - 1.33M)
Judge tosses AMO lawsuit to block LMSR award
On October 10, Judge William B. Bryant of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia decisively rejected a challenge by the American Maritime Officers (AMO) to overturn a Military Sealift command award to Patriot Contract Services to manage and operate 10 Large Medium Speed Roll-On/
Roll-Off (LMSR) vessels.
September 2000 (PDF - 0.81M)
Unions, ports, travel organizations urge Congress to back U.S. cruiseship bill
The Sailors’ Union of the Pacific, Marine Firemen's Union, Masters,
Mates & Pilots, Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, and the
International Longshore Warehouse Union, have joined with a broad-based
group of maritime, port, travel and tourism organizations in urging members
of the U.S. Senate to support the United States Cruise Vessel Act (S.1510).
August 2000 (PDF - 0.81M)
SUP-crewed Chevron Washington to the rescue off Oregon coast
On August 12, 2000, more than 1000 miles offshore, the SUP-crewed
Chevron Wash-ington engaged in a dramatic and complicated rescue.
Diverted by a satellite phone call from the United States Coast
Guard-Alameda, the Washington rushed to the aid of a seriously
injured sailor aboard a dismasted sailboat.
July 2000 (PDF - 1.67M)
U.S. Cruise Ship Bill
U.S. cruise ship bill prompts company to arrange financing for vessel construction.
June 2000 (PDF - 1.31M)
All-american cruiseship bill clears Senate Commerce Comittee
The Senate comitte on Comerce, Science and Transportation on June 15 passed a bill that is designed to facilitate the entry of U
May 2000 (PDF - 0.45M)
Ready Reserve Fleet contracts awarded by MarAd
Bum decision prompts protest by SUP company; Government stays the award.
April 2000 (PDF - 0.28M)
Maritime industry group lists initiatives to grow U.S.-fleet flag
A strong U.S.-flags commercial merchant fleet is absolutely essential to ensuring U.S. national defense and economic security in
March 2000 (PDF - 1.11M)
Fourth SUP-contracted LSMR christened in New Orleans
USNS Pililaau: the fifth of a series of seven Bob Hope-class, large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off being built for the Military
February 2000 (PDF - 0.67M)
SUP ballots counted
Officers elected, amendments decided.
January 2000 (PDF - 0.37M)
Floating sweatshops
Foreign-flag cruiseship working conditions exposed.

 

Current Issues

April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007

You will need the Adobe Acrobat PDF Viewer (free) to view and print these files.

 
HOME | ABOUT US | POLITICAL | WEST COAST SAILORS | CONSTITUTION | HISTORY | LINKS
SUP WELFARE PLAN | TRAINING | APPAREL | BULLETIN BOARD | CONTACT US