M.E.B.A. halls and offices will be closed on Monday, July 5, a day off for much of the nation’s workforce since Independence Day falls on a Sunday this year. In addition, West Coast halls will be shuttered on Tuesday in honor of Bloody Thursday. Bloody Thursday commemorates the longshoremen labor action led by Harry Bridges that culminated in street fighting and clashes with police. Hundreds were injured and several killed in the riots that came to a head on July 5, 1934. Following a general strike and federal intervention, the longshoremen won a coastwide contract, a union hiring hall, and various improvements to wages and conditions.

"I was surprised to see The Post’s editorial board climb on board with a handful of critics, including Republicans in Congress and conservative commentators, in blasting the Jones Act [editorial, June 25].

"I would expect patriotic Americans of all political stripes, including Republicans such as Sen. John McCain, to welcome with open arms the Jones Act, which requires that all goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried in U.S. flag ships, constructed in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed by U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. Instead of supporting American industry, American workers and American environmental standards, however, Mr. McCain has introduced legislation to repeal the Jones Act, seemingly motivated by accusations that the Obama administration was slow to accept assistance from foreign countries offering to help with the gulf oil spill cleanup.

"The fact is there is no evidence the Jones Act has interfered with the cleanup in any way. Administration officials have clearly stated they would be willing to waive the Jones Act if needed and that the law had not prevented the response team from accepting aid offers. The law is necessary to prevent our economy from being dominated and controlled by foreign shipping interests. A domestic maritime industry also provides a significant source of employment to maintain a cadre of well trained, loyal American merchant mariners ready and able to respond in time of war or other emergency. A privately owned U.S.-flagged fleet is vital to our economic, military and international political security."

The Department of Transportation clearly stated something that we already know – that the Jones Act has not impeded the Gulf oil clean-up in any way. Bloggers and deluded news sources haven’t let the facts get in the way of their proclamations that the Jones Act is the source of additional misery in the Gulf. The DOT statement says that, "it is essential to underscore that, despite allegations to the contrary, the Jones Act has not hindered the cleanup effort.

"The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are working to coordinate all offers of assistance – from domestic and international sources alike. Foreign-flag vessels have been participating, and will continue to participate, in the cleanup effort. As we have reiterated in the past, if the Unified Command determines that specific assets are necessary but require a Jones Act waiver, we will do whatever is needed to ensure those assets are deployed. But to be absolutely clear, to date, the Jones Act has not prevented or delayed the mobilization of useful assets."

Not surprisingly, the Maritime Cabotage Task Force – along with every other entity and person that appreciates U.S.-flag shipping and American maritime jobs – is opposing Sen. John McCain’s new Jones Act repeal bill. S. 3525 was introduced last week on the heels of poorly thought-out criticisms leveled by misinformed Jones Act critics in newspapers and online blogs of late. MCTF is a coalition of maritime interests vigilant in the safeguarding of the Jones Act and other cabotage laws. The statement follows:

"We oppose this legislation. All the McCain bill would do is put more Americans out of work.

"The McCain bill proposes to eliminate the very American industry that is helping to clean up the spill - an industry that supports 500,000 U.S. jobs - and outsource that work to foreign workers and foreign companies registered in nations like Liberia and the Marshall Islands that operate outside of American law. Using a spill caused by foreign companies as a pretext to bring in more foreign companies is a backward approach. It makes as much sense as replacing the American workers currently cleaning up the Gulf beaches with foreign companies and foreign workers.

"The McCain legislation is based on the completely false claim that the Jones Act is hindering the Gulf clean-up effort. The Coast Guard and National Incident Command have unambiguously rejected that idea. They should know the truth better than anyone. While there is a critical shortage of supplies like skimmers and boom, scores of large American vessels are standing by in the Gulf ready to deploy these supplies and equipment as they become available. Specialized foreign oil spill response vessels are welcome and already working -- they either do not need a Jones Act waiver, or can get one without delay.

"Finally, the McCain bill is based on studies that are outdated and widely discredited. Long ago, the U.S. Government Accountability Office in response to a request from Senator McCain reviewed those same studies and advised the Senator that they failed to accurately assess the costs and benefits of the Jones Act."

The rescission of a mandatory contribution paid by members to help bolster the M.E.B.A. Medical Plan has taken effect.

Four years ago, members began contributing 1% of their gross wages and vacation pay to the M.E.B.A. Medical Plan in one of the steps taken to ensure that the Plan stayed solvent. These measures proved more than enough in securing the solvency of this defined contribution plan which is currently running with a substantial surplus and continues to gain at an amount greater than the 1% represents.

In April, M.E.B.A. President Don Keefe and Secretary-Treasurer Bill Van Loo negotiated with employers present at the Trustees meeting and approved, through collective bargaining, an elimination of the 1% mandatory contribution.

The savings to the members took hold this week – in the companies’ July 1, 2010 payroll period.

Calhoon Alumni Association President Mike Fanning did a solid job heading up another successful Reunion as almost 400 members, retirees, their families and friends had a great time this weekend at the Calhoon School.

Friday’s hotly contested golf outing at the Harbourtowne Resort in St. Michaels, MD kicked off a weekend of activity. The four-man tandem of Bob Smith, Gerard Dundon, Jamie Latham and Pat Dasch proved superior and their names will be immortalized forever on the coveted "U&F" Cup.

As that group distinguished themselves reaching the highest highs, one inept group of golfers humiliated themselves and set the sport back years. That team included Bill Hrubovcak, Rob Oberling and Doug Sier and they were awarded a trophy of shame while being advised to take up bowling. Anthony LaDana and Evan Cain each shared honors for both the longest drive and closest to the pin competitions.

Calhoon School Interim Director Chuck Eser was honored with the CAA Man of the Year award while Instructor Bill Radaskiewicz was awarded with the Roy A. Luebbe Award for Excellence in Education. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Shirley Shelton, the longtime School Registrar who retired late last year. Mike Fanning was the deserving recipient of the Deep Sea Chiefs Association’s Chief of the Year award presented to him by Ken Buck.

The picnic itself was terrific – massive quantities of food and drink were consumed including 15 bushels of crabs, pig, pit beef, burgers and late night snacks among other things. The waterslide, moon bounce, magic show, live band, two open pools and enough activities to keep the kids entertained helped make this a memory that won’t soon be forgotten. Special thanks must go to the maintenance workers, housekeeping and food service staff at the School who helped make the weekend a success. The CAA is working on a golf outing to take place later this year in Ocean City, MD. Details will be forwarded when finalized. Next year’s Reunion will be offsite and will likely take place at Myrtle Beach, SC again in the form of a three-day golf event.

The Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School has announced a new course offering for 2010 – Shipboard Personnel Management. It focuses on maximizing leadership and teamwork skills while minimizing conflict and legal pitfalls when dealing with employees. This course is intended for members in management-level billets and will include but not be limited to the following topics: Leadership and Teamwork; Behavior; Identifying and Preventing Legal Issues Related to People; and Preventative Strategies.

The first class in 2010 will take place from August 2-6 and will be limited to 16 students. Applications may be sent via fax (410) 822-7220 or email to applications@mebaschool.org.

High quality prints of a Mike Nizetich painting are being made available to drum up funds for a great cause. Entitled "Epiphany," the painting depicts a reverential piston pull. 50 prints were created and are available for $100 apiece. As per Mike’s request, all proceeds will go to the M.E.B.A.’s Merchant Marine Memorial Foundation. Nizzy was a popular member and official who was serving as the Union’s Executive Vice President when he died much too young in early May. Mike was an upstanding person and labor stalwart who had great devotion to the M.E.B.A. membership.

The Foundation supports the Memorial located at the Calhoon School that honors fallen mariners who helped blaze the proud tradition our members continue today.

You can send your payment to: M.E.B.A. Headquarters; Attn: Memorial Fund/ Nizetich Print; 444 North Capitol Street, N.W., Suite 800; Washington D.C. 20001. Make checks or money orders payable to "M.E.B.A. Merchant Marine Memorial Foundation" or "MMMMF." A photo of the print can be viewed on M.E.B.A.’s website (www.mebaunion.org). You can call Headquarters for more information. Talk to Memorial Chairman Bill Van Loo at (202) 638-5355.

The District-wide nomination period for elected officials’ positions and national representatives ends on July 9, 2010 – the deadline for nominations to be received at Headquarters.

A five-person rank and file Credentials Committee will be elected at the regular July membership meetings next week. One member each will be elected at the meetings in New Orleans and San Francisco (Oakland) on Wednesday and in New York (New Jersey) on Thursday. Alternates will be elected at the meetings in Baltimore (CMES) and Houston on Tuesday. No officer or candidate for office or job is eligible for this committee.

Be sure to inform Headquarters if you have recently changed your contact information. There is an address change form on our website to help expedite the process. You can get the form in either a .pdf or a Word document from www.mebaunion.org. Under the "Members" tab click "Address Change." Address changes require a signature for validation along with your new information. The form can be printed out by the member or retiree, filled out completely with a signature and faxed or mailed to Headquarters. Those of you with scanners can complete the document with your signature then scan and e-mail it back to us.

Liberty Maritime is seeking résumés from Chief Engineers interested in sailing for the company. Interested individuals should send their particulars including a résumé via e-mail to personnel@libertymar.com.  You may also contact Nina Timonina at (516) 488-8800 with any specific questions about these opportunities.

Tuesday, July 6 – Baltimore/Calhoon School at CMES @1430; Boston@1200; Houston@1315, Jacksonville@1300;
Wednesday, July 7 – Charleston@1400; New Orleans@1315; San Francisco (Oakland)@1230; Seattle@1300;
Thursday, July 8 – L.A. (Wilmington)@1230; New York (New Jersey)@1300; Norfolk@1230; Tampa@1300;
Friday, July 9 – Honolulu@1100.