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

MEBA TELEX TIMES           JUNE 20, 2008

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 25

In this issue...
Crane company deal locked up...Obama meets with unions... M.E.B.A.-crewed ferry rescues three...M.E.B.A. companies get safety awards...Lock and load! #1 with a bullet, we aim high and call the shots as we open fire with an armor-piercing issue of high-powered news clips. Don't go off half-cocked with gun shy, hollow-pointed newsletters that shoot blanks. Raise your sights! We pistol whip those misfiring slugs and give them flak with a point blank, fully automatic edition of the highest caliber. Packing maritime heat, the trigger-happy Telex Times goes off with a bang!

M.E.B.A. RE-UPS DEAL WITH CRANE COMPANY FOR ENGINEERS/TECHNICIANS
M.E.B.A. crane engineers working for Cargotec Services Marine (formerly East Coast Cranes) have a new contract after officials in our New York/New Jersey hall secured a solid three-year deal. The members working in the bargaining unit ratified the contract which went into effect on June 16.

The contract nails down across-the-board improvements and nets a substantial increase in contributions for Training, Joint Employment Committee, and American Maritime Congress. M.E.B.A. Cargotec crane engineers work at APM Terminals including Seattle/Tacoma, Houston and Port Elizabeth, NJ.

In addition, union reps revamped our contract with Cargotec covering traveling Crane Technicians that perform bid work at terminals across the country. Negotiators improved the compensation level for our engineers working under the deal and the contract was extended. It was agreed that the parties will revisit the contract annually to perform desired wage and contribution hikes as necessary.

Atlantic Coast V.P. Bill McHugh headed up our talks with Cargotec and was joined by NY/NJ Patrolman Chris Guerra, Representative Joe Martucci and rank and file member Dave Fitzgerald who serves as a Senior Crane Engineer.

OBAMA MEETS WITH UNION PRESIDENTS
M.E.B.A. President Don Keefe along with AFL-CIO and Change to Win Coalition leaders took part in a closed door economic forum hosted by Senator Barack Obama this week in Washington D.C. It is expected that within a few weeks, the AFL-CIO general board will meet and likely announce its endorsement of Sen. Obama as the next President. The Change to Win Federation has already endorsed him.

Many other individual unions have begun or are on the verge of announcing their own endorsements. During the primaries, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees were vocal supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign. However, AFSCME President Gerald McEntee appeared impressed with Obama after the meeting this week saying Obama is a "sure-footed friend of labor" and noted that, "he really gave us some insight on the kind of person he is." AFSCME endorsed the Senator on Thursday.

Firefighters President Harold Schaitberger, who had earlier endorsed Sen. Chris Dodd in the primary, expressed his certainty that unions would offer "a solid and unanimous endorsement" for Obama. AFL-CIO spokesperson Denise Mitchell, who said the Federation is budgeting over $50 million for the campaign, noted that, "while our unions may have a few things to work out, we believe that we'll be strong and united."

Obama has been endorsed by AFGE, the Boilermakers (IBB), the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD), the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters (UA), the Postal Workers (APWU), the UAN, the UAW and the Utility Workers (UWUA), the Mine Workers (UMWA), Transport Workers (TWU) and United Steelworkers (USW).

The M.E.B.A. has not endorsed a candidate in the Presidential race.

CHENEGA CREW RESCUES THREE IN ICY ALASKAN WATERS
Three Alaskan citizens were saved from a watery death recently after the crew of the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) fast ferry CHENEGA rescued them near Whittier on June 9th. M.E.B.A. engineers and MM&P deck officers comprise the licensed crew aboard the vessel. CHENEGA and its crew departed Whittier at 4 p.m. and encountered a debris field six minutes into its transit to Cordova.

According to Captain Sam Daniels, Chief Engineer Bob Keene was the first to sight three persons in the water about a mile southeast of Billing Creek in Passage Canal. "Engine Control Center is on the Bridge on this vessel, so it is normal that he be there on departure. The vessel was sunk before we arrived on scene." Their 22-foot pleasure boat reportedly sank after the vessel's bow was struck by several waves.

Capt. Daniels immediately sounded the "code blue" signal alerting the crew and passengers of people in distress. He also shifted control of CHENEGA from the bridge to the port bridge wing to maneuver the ship closer to the three people in the water.

"Normally I would have brought the ship much closer," Capt. Daniels said. "But with the mixture of debris and fishing gear, and not knowing how many persons we were dealing with (fear of not sighting one and sucking them through the jets), I chose to stand off and let the Rescue Boat do the work. We also needed room for leeway when making a lee for launching the Rescue Boat."

Within three minutes, CHENEGA's Rescue Boat crew sped to the boaters who were clinging to debris to remain afloat. CHENEGA's crew rescued 28-year-old Luke Renner, 31-year old Andy Renner and his eight-year-old son Owen. "I was so amazed at how fast the crew got to us," said Luke Renner. "I'll be booking reservations on the ferries from now on." The CHENEGA rescuers aboard the Rescue Boat transported the threesome to CHENEGA where they received medical attention from both the crew as well as Laura Evans and Kristin Burkart - two passengers who are intensive care unit doctors from New York City. CHENEGA returned to the Whittier Ferry Terminal where it was met by a Whittier Fire Department ambulance crew who took the Renners to a medical facility in Anchorage for treatment of hypothermia. "I am just so thankful that you (AMHS) had your ship in the water yesterday," Luke Renner
summarized.

A.J. McINTYRE SAILS INTO THE SUNSET
M.E.B.A. received the devastating news that popular M.E.B.A. member Andrew (A.J.) McIntyre died this morning of a heart attack at the young age of 52. A.J. was a 1981 graduate of the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School who began sailing for the union as an applicant the same year. He made membership in 1984 and embarked on a long and productive career with the Union sailing aboard many vessels as an engineer including the LNG ships ARIES and CAPRICORN and more recently the LYKES NAVIGATOR and SEALAND ATLANTIC. He also served as a Representative in Norfolk alongside Tom Lilley for a couple of years. Soon after, he was elected and served as a Delegate at the National M.E.B.A. Convention in 2002 before returning to sea. A.J. recently retired and was enjoying his post-M.E.B.A. life in his hometown of Virginia Beach with his wife and three children. The M.E.B.A. world is
saddened as it tries to cope with this tragic loss.

M.E.B.A. COMPANIES RECEIVE JONES DEVLIN AWARDS
At a recent Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) event in Houston, a slew of M.E.B.A.-contracted companies received Jones F. Devlin Awards that reward safe ship operations. Awards were given to vessels that have operated for at least two years without a seafarer involved in a lost-time injury.

Mike Bohlman, Director of Marine Services at Horizon Lines, LLC and Chairman of the Board of CSA said, "These awards celebrate the dedication to environmental excellence of our seafarers and the company personnel shore-side who operate our vessels to the highest standards. In today's world, it seems our industry only gets front-page news when spills or other environmental problems occur. It is encouraging to see how many vessels go for years achieving environmental excellence. It should be clear to the American public that we in the maritime industry take our stewardship of the marine environment very seriously."

Recipients of the 2007 Jones F. Devlin Awards included multiple vessels sailing for Alaska Tanker Company LLC; Chevron Shipping Company LLC; Marine Transport Lines; Horizon Lines, LLC; Keystone Shipping Co.; Maersk Line, Ltd; Foss Maritime and OSG Ship Management, Inc.

The Chamber of Shipping of America represents 31 U.S.-based companies that own, operate or charter oceangoing tankers, container ships, and other merchant vessels engaged in both the domestic and international trades and other entities that maintain a commercial interest in the operation of such oceangoing vessels.

M.E.B.A. CHIEF FEATURED IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE OF SEAPOWER
M.E.B.A. member Robert McManus, Chief Engineer aboard the Military Sealift Command vessel USNS LEWIS & CLARK is featured in the "In My Own Words" section of the June 2008 edition of SEAPOWER Magazine. The official publication of the Navy League of the United States, SEAPOWER focuses on items of interest to the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the Merchant Marine. The LEWIS & CLARK is the first in a class of MSC dry cargo-ammunition ships (T-AKE) that are serving as underway replenishment ships for Navy carrier and expeditionary strike groups. SEAPOWER allowed the Telex Times to carry the full text of the article from their latest issue:

Robert T. McManus - Chief Engineer, USNS Lewis & Clark

"As chief engineer, I'm responsible as the repair officer for the entire ship. My department is responsible for taking care of all machinery from top to stop, staff to stern. We have 25 people in the engineering department onboard the [dry cargo/ammunition ship] Lewis & Clark. I think on a comparable-sized Navy ship there'd be about 100.

In the Merchant Marine, we don't switch jobs like they do in the Navy. Here, engineers stay engineers throughout their careers. Primarily, the engineering officers are either graduates of maritime academies or have worked in the industry for an extensive length of time. I attended the New York Maritime College. I graduated in 1980. I've spent about half of my career at sea, probably three-quarters onboard ships. Lewis & Clark is actually the second ship I've helped deliver to the Navy. Back in 1986, I was on the commissioning crew of the Henry J. Kaiser, our first T-AO type of oiler. I also helped deliver two AORs [auxiliary oiler replenishers] for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary when I was in England. The most rewarding aspect of something like this is being able to succeed on the first mission.

One of the biggest challenges of our [Lewis & Clark's] first deployment, which was to the Persian Gulf, was the extreme temperatures. We had a high temperature of about 97-98 degrees and had ambient air temperatures that reached in the neighborhood of 115 degrees. So it was a real test of the ship's cargo refrigeration system and also a good, valid test of the ship's air conditioning system. You have to remember the air conditioning system is not just to support the habitability, but also all the cargo holds where we carry either dry storage, ammunition or refrigerated cargo. We took food to ports in the Persian Gulf or off the Horn of Africa and then distributed it around the fleet that was in those operating areas. We were very pleased with how the ship performed on its first mission. We had some technical issues, of course, being a first-in-class kind of a prototype. You would expect that but, overall, I would say it was a very successful trip.

Right now, we're working on some modifications to the vessel, fixing some of the shortfalls we saw on the first deployment. We've been doing operations on the East Coast, with Second Fleet, and now it looks like we'll be deploying overseas again in the early fall."

Reprinted with permission from SEAPOWER, the official magazine of the Navy League of the United States.

D.I.C. GETTING READY TO DROP NON-DUES PAYING MEMBERS
The District Investigating Committee (DIC) has put those members and applicants who haven't been paying their dues under review. Any member or applicant two or more years in arrears on their dues and/or service charges is being 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 and return to good standing.

CAA REUNION IS NEXT WEEK!
Calhoon Alumni Association President Mike Fanning has announced that more than enough golfers are in place to tee-off a weekend of fun at the CAA Reunion that begins with the golf tournament on June 27th.

The CAA hosts the Reunion for members and retirees as well as their friends and families. It is set to take place at the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School from June 27-29. There are very few rooms left, so sign up now. At the very least, members who are at sea or anyone else who can't get out to Easton, MD during that weekend can make their presence felt by sponsoring a golf hole, keg, or bushel of crabs. Mike will let people know about your generosity! Further Reunion details and necessary forms can be accessed from the School's website at www.mebaschool.org.

Leave your pets and fireworks at home but boaters and RVs are welcome (electrical hook-ups are only available on a limited basis). If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mike Fanning at caa@mebaschool.org.

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday, July 7 - Boston, Jacksonville, Seattle;
Tuesday, July 8 - Baltimore, Houston, San Francisco;
Wednesday, July 9 - Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, July 10 - L.A., New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, July 11 - Honolulu.

--------FINISHED WITH ENGINES---------