MARINE ENGINEERS' BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION (AFL-CIO)
         "On Watch in Peace and War Since 1875"

MEBA TELEX TIMES               DECEMBER 01, 2006

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 48

In this issue...
AMO trial slogs on...Update on AMO raids...MEBA part of USTR meeting...Union submits NVIC comments...Wee wee wee! Answering nature's call for the latest news leaks heard at the head, we go on a yellow streak and make a splash. Don't piddle around with bedwetting, piss-poor competitors that have gone to pot. Relieve yourself with a smooth flowing issue that comes up golden. A newsletter wiz, the Telex Times is #1!

AMO's McKAY BROTHERS ON TRIAL, WEEK 2
As reported in last week's Telex Times, the federal racketeering trial of the McKay Brothers, Mike and Bobby, President and Secretary-Treasurer respectively, of the American Maritime Officers (AMO) kicked off on Monday, November 20, 2006. According to media reports, a federal prosecutor has told jurors Mike McKay twice rigged union elections to ensure his victory and then used members' money as his personal piggy bank. The accusation opened the Fort Lauderdale racketeering trial of the McKays. If convicted they could be sentenced to 30 years in prison.

This week and last, witnesses have been taking the stand and telling the jurors just how the McKays have run the American Maritime Officers union. If what has been testified to over the past 11 days is true, it is nothing short of appalling. The membership of a union expects their leadership to act professionally and to look out for their best interests. Indeed, union officials owe a fiduciary duty to a union and to protect the rights of the membership.

Some of the government's wiretapped conversations were played for the jury this week. Former AMO Plans Administrator David Merriken took the stand and started attesting to the contents of the reportedly 200 or so wiretapped tapes. Below is a brief outline of some of the disturbing allegations:

Evidence Tape X362A discusses a bachelor party that was thrown for Mike Jr., where hired girls were provided for entertainment purposes at $500.00 - $600.00 each. Mike McKay approves a phantom expense account for the payment of the girls out of the membership's dues coffers. Allegedly, Tape X364 also has discussions about the overall bachelor party for Mike Jr., being paid for by the AMO Benefit Plans through inflated expense accounts submitted by an AMO official.

Evidence Tapes X353 and 362C entails discussions about a yacht owned by the AMO called the AMOS and two private scuba diving boats owned by Mike McKay named the Sandpiper and Isis. Allegedly, a scheme was revealed on the tapes where AMO would send the union-owned yacht to a vessel repair yard and the vessel repair yard would inflate the costs for the repairs. Reportedly, two things would then happen: Mike McKay would be able to get his private scuba diving boats repaired for free under the guise of the inflated costs on the Union owned yacht. And, the vessel repair yard would make cash contributions into the AMO's political action committee. It was alleged that in one instance, the vessel repair yard made a cash contribution of $25,000 into the political action committee.

Evidence Tape X364 discusses a scuba diving shop named the SOS Dive Shop that is owned by Mike McKay. The tape has discussions about the repairs and reconstruction of the shop being paid for by the AMO Benefit Plans. It also discusses that an AMO Star Center Training Facility maintenance worker supervised the reconstruction of McKay's dive shop.

Apparently, there are also several tapes that discuss Mike McKay's kids living in one of the houses owned by the AMO Benefit Plans and how the McKays' childhood buddies stay rent free in a Dania Beach Florida home that is owned by the AMO Benefit Plans.

The brunt of some 200 wiretapped conversations are expected to be aired to the jury when David Merriken offers more testimony in a couple of weeks. David Merriken agreed to work undercover for the government when he realized he had become involved in corruption, Prosecutor Lehner said. According to the Sun-Sentinel, David Merriken arrived for work at the American Maritime Officers union headquarters in Dania Beach with a wire taped to his chest and a tape recorder in his pocket.

In addition to the wiretap tapes, there has been testimony of deceit and lack of trust within the leadership ranks of the AMO. One witness told jurors that Michael McKay gave the order to place "bugging devices" in the hotel rooms and meeting areas of Management Trustees during Trustees meetings. Trustees meetings take place to administer and oversee the benefit plans of the union. Usually a Board of Trustees is comprised of an equal number of Company side and Union side trustees. Each side has the opportunity to caucus in confidence to make important decisions that affect the plans. Not only were there allegations of bugging the management side, but, according to testimony, President Mike McKay also gave the order to have some of his union officials' suites "bugged" with listening devices as well.

One of the witnesses testified about the illegal campaign finance scheme the McKays used to get around the law. As reported in the South Florida press, the McKays would pressure union officials, employees and vendors to personally donate their own money to the campaigns of public officials. Then, at the end of the year, the McKays would reimburse them out of the union treasury and disguise the allocation of membership dues money as bonuses. Apparently, on cross examination the witness and Mike McKay's attorney had a heated exchange that went something like this:

McKay Attorney: Doesn't Mr. McKay, as the president of the union have the authority to give bonuses? Witness: No, not when he's violating federal law. Being President of the Union doesn't give you the right to spend the membership's money however and whenever you please especially when it is against the law.

The jury was told how the McKays fixed elections and the mechanical devices used to illegally tamper with the ballots.

The trial is on hold next week (the week of December 4th) because of a scheduling conflict in the Judge's schedule. The trial will resume the week of the 11th. For any members or interested parties wishing to view the trial, it is taking place at the U.S. Federal Court House, U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse, 299 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 312 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, Contact: (954) 356-7256, with Judge Cohn presiding. Please send your observations of the trial to M.E.B.A. headquarters at mebahq@d1meba.org.

M.E.B.A. MEETS AS PART OF U.S. TRADE REP. ADVISORY COMMITTEE
On Friday, M.E.B.A. Secretary-Treasurer Bill Van Loo and Deputy General Counsel William Doyle represented the Union at a liaisons' world trade roundtable. As reported in October, M.E.B.A. President Ron Davis was tapped to be part of an Executive Office of the President and Department of Labor trade policy advisory committee. Mr. Van Loo and Mr. Doyle serve as liaisons on the committee. The Labor Advisory Committee (LAC) for Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy helps develop U.S. trade objectives that benefit American workers. Specifically, the advice of the Committee is used to negotiate objectives and bargaining positions before the U.S. enters into a trade agreement with a foreign country; the operation of a trade agreement once entered into; and other matters arising in connection with the development, implementation and administration of U.S. trade policy. M.E.B.A. is closely watching cabotage Jones Act issues (not in jeopardy at this time), shipbuilding and service providers for transporting security sensitive LNG to the United States.

M.E.B.A. SUBMITS NVIC COMMENTS
M.E.B.A. President Ron Davis and Secretary Treasurer Bill Van Loo submitted comments this past week to the U.S. Coast Guard concerning proposed changes to the physical and medical evaluation process necessary for mariners to demonstrate fitness to sail. The proposal was in the form of a Navigation and Inspection Circular (NVIC) published in the Federal Register. Though not required by law, comments were solicited by the Coast Guard. Under the current process there are approximately 45 disqualifying medical conditions but this proposed NVIC lists over 200 disqualifying medical conditions. The M.E.B.A. expressed concerns about higher rates of disqualification, that privacy concerns should be addressed and safeguards strengthened and offered criticism and suggestions concerning medical examination and review procedures. To view M.E.B.A.'s comments online visit www.meba.us/hotnews.html.

M.E.B.A. COVERING LNG SUMMIT NEXT WEEK
M.E.B.A. President Ron Davis and two other M.E.B.A. members will be taking part in a massive conference and exhibition in Abu Dhabi, one of the United Arab Emirates, focusing on the LNG, LPG and natural gas industries. Set for December 4-7, Gastech 2006 is the largest such event in its 34 year history. Every key player in this burgeoning industry will be on hand and will should boast Gastech's strongest ever lineup of speakers, panels, sessions and keynotes.

This is President Davis' second trip to the Middle East to promote the use of M.E.B.A. officers aboard LNG vessels. His previous trip was to Doha, Qatar where he met with key government officials and executives of Qatargas and Rasgas. Joining President Davis in Abu Dhabi is Captain Scott Conway and Captain Tim Park. Since 2003, Scott Conway has been the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School's Deck Officer Training Department Manager and an instructor. A 1984 Texas A&M University graduate, Scott holds a Master, Oceans, Steam or Motor, Any Gross Tons license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Scott has eight years experience sailing LNG vessels with Ahrenkiel Ship Management, working his way from third mate to chief mate. Prior to joining CMES, Scott sailed as master with Mormac Marine.

Tim Park is an employee of Transas Marine in Seattle Washington. Transas provided the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School with its state-of-the-art bridge simulators and was key in the successful development of the system. Tim is a 1985 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy with a dual major in marine engineering and marine transportation. He holds a Master, Unlimited Tonnage-Any Oceans license as well as a Third Engineer - Steam/Diesel/Gas Turbine - Unlimited Horsepower license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Tim has thirteen years of LNG experience, having sailed with Ahrenkiel and ProNav Ship Management. Captain Park has worked at the Calhoon M.E.B.A. training facility.

Both Tim Park and Scott Conway have testified, together with many M.E.B.A. officers and representatives, as well as numerous other LNG-experienced members and retirees, around the country at LNG hearings. M.E.B.A. continues to pursue LNG prospects that will open up job opportunities and utilize the rich LNG experience of our membership. Currently there are upwards to three dozen proposed LNG terminals in various stages of approval. While only a fraction will ever be built, M.E.B.A. has developed relationships with many of these energy companies and has served as an important ally in promoting the importation of LNG into the U.S. using U.S. mariners.

DUES STRAGGLERS WILL BE DROPPED
Any member or applicant two or more years in arrears on their dues and/or service charges will be put under review by the District Investigative Committee and WILL BE DROPPED from the membership or applicant rolls. 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 to return to good standing.

AUTHOR SEEKING INPUT FROM SS UNITED STATES, SS AMERICA CREMEMBERS
Maritime author Larry Driscoll is interested in interviewing former crewmembers of the S.S. UNITED STATES and S.S. AMERICA who have some good stories to share. He is also trying to research additional information about the maiden voyage of the S.S. UNITED STATES in July of 1952. Feel free to contact him at elaurens@yahoo.com  phone (315) 568-9698 or drop him a note at 5 Leland Dr Seneca Falls NY 13148.

NEXT REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday December 4 - Boston, Seattle;
Tuesday, December 5 - Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville, San Francisco;
Wednesday, December 6 - Calhoon M.E.B.A. School, Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, December 7 - Los Angeles, New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, December 8 - Honolulu.
 

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