A milestone in the history of the American maritime labor movement was reached this month as the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific observed the 130th Anniversary of its founding and the enactment of the LaFollette Seamen’s Act marked its centennial.
West Coast Sailors
Senator McCain’s attempt to gut the Jones Act turned into an exercise in futility as his amendment to the Keystone XL Pipeline bill was never brought up on the Senate floor for a vote prior to the final vote on the pipeline on January 29. The Arizona Republican’s amendment would have repealed the provision of the Jones Act.
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) introduced an amendment to the Keystone XL Pipeline Bill that would repeal the provision of the Jones Act that requires vessels trading domestically be built in the United States.
SUP-contracted American President Lines got a boost this month when Maersk Line announced it was terminating its four-ship, U.S.-flag, TransPacific service in January.
Matson, Inc. and Horizon Lines, Inc. announced on November 11, that Matson and Horizon have entered into a definitive "merger" agreement.
"Our very first Congress singled out the domestic U.S. Merchant Marine as essential to our economy and national defense..."
On September 10, the House Transportation & Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Marine Transportation held a fact finding hearing on the "status of the merchant marine".
SUP-contracted Matson containership Manukai pulled off a difficult and daring rescue of three yachtsmen whose vessel was floundering in heavy seas while enroute to Honolulu
Crucial maritime programs and policies have been placed in crosshairs in Congress.
Two Senators introduced legislation to scuttle the Food for Peace program, despite the passage of the Farm Bill.
Among the Union's objectives is "to support a journal which shall voice the sentiments of the seafaring class, and through its columns seek to maintain the knowledge of and interest in maritime affairs." The first issue of the West Coast Sailors, in June of 1937, noted that "Common sense, fearlessly applied, brings success to a Union."