Current Issues
July 2013
Senators Murray and Cantwell unveil legislation to support American ports

New legislation announced that will significantly strengthen American ports, including many in the Pacific Northwest.

June 2013
Agreement reached with Matson Navigation Company

The SUP, MFOW and SIU-Marine Cooks, which comprise the SIU-Pacific District, completed bargaining with Matson on June 29, after ten meetings including those covering the respective Unions? Work Rules and Maintenance Agreements.

May 2013
Little progress made with Matson as bargaining deadline looms; SUP membership authorizes strike resolution

The SUP, MFOW, SIU-A&G are bucking strong headwinds in bargaining with Matson Navigation Company. The agreement covering the company?s U.S.-flag fleet expires on June 30, as does the SUP and MFOW Maintenance Agreements. The SUP membership has authorized a strike against the company if an agreement is not reached.

April 2013
Navy League urges congressional leaders to reject administration proposal to decimate Food for Peace

The drastic changes in the Food for Peace program proposed in President Obama?s fiscal year 2014 budget, prompted Bruce Butler, Executive Director of the Navy League of the United States to send a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada), Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner (R-Ohio), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R- Kentucky) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California).

March 2013
U.S. Merchant Marine, American workers, farmers, and the hungry of the world shafted in Obama Administration budget

Cash replaces Food for Peace eliminating U.S.-flag carriage of commodities overseas

February 2013
Food For Peace targeted by Obama Administration

Maritime industry, agricultural interests, members of Congress mobilize to defend program essential to American interests

January 2013
ILA and East and Gulf Coast employers reach tentative six-year agreement

United States Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Director George Cohen issued a statement on February 1, announcing that the International Longshoremen?s Association (ILA) and the employer group, the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have reached a tentative agreement on a new, six year labor agreement.

December 2012
Matson expands to the South Pacific with purchase of foreign-flag service

SUP-contracted Matson Navigation Company has expanded its operations to the South Pacific by acquiring four vessels and 1,500 containers from a New Zealand-based shipping company.

November 2012
Navy League of the United States supports legislation to restore cargo preference requirements for international food aid

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.

October 2012
Downsizing U.S. Merchant Marine undermines national security

During times of war or national emergency, the U.S. government relies on the U.S. Merchant Marine.