The Saving Essential American Sailors (SEAS) Act (H.R. 6170) introduced to restore the 25% that was cut as essential for the survival and viability of the U.S. Merchant Marine.
West Coast Sailors
During times of war or national emergency, the U.S. government relies on the U.S. Merchant Marine.
The American labor movement is solidly behind the re-election of President Barack Obama and the membership of the Sailors? Union, active and retired, should be too.
Now that the Republican and Democratic Party conventions are over, it is important to compare party platforms on issues of concern to workers.
In the wake of the major set back suffered by the U.S. maritime industry when Congress passed a bill in June that included a provision that slashed the statutory U.S.-flag share of international food aid cargo from 75% to 50%, Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-Maryland) and Congressman Jeff Landry (R-Louisiana) introduced legislation on July 24, to repeal the onerous provision and restore U.S.-flag food aid cargo preference to 75% of cargoes carried.
Republican stealth attack slashes American cargo preference requirement for international food aid
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced a major policy change regarding the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
The largest fine ever imposed for a Jones Act violation was upheld by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) against Escopeta Oil
The Jones Act is under attack again, with a Guam politician sponsoring legislation that seeks to dilute the cabotage statute after Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) failed in a new bid to get the law abolished last month.
On March 13, the AFL-CIO Executive Council ?voted proudly and enthusiastically? to endorse President Barack Obama for a second term.
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."