Why we need health care reform

Our nation is now engaged in a great debate about the future of health care in America. Millions of Americans quietly struggle every day with a system that often works better for the health-insurance companies than it does for them.

USCG blasted for mariner credential delays and medical review process

Members of the House Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation expressed disappointment during a hearing on July 9, concerning the time necessary for the Coast Guard to process Merchant Mariner Credentials and license processing.

Pacific Coast Maritime Strike of 1934 observed next month

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Pacific Coast Maritime Strike of 1934 and the General Strike in San Francisco?events which sparked the resurgence of the maritime labor movement and the labor movement as a whole.

World War II merchant mariner benefits bill passes House of Representatives

Bob Filner (D-California), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans? Affairs, announced on May 12, that the full House of Representatives by voice vote, had passed legislation to assist U.S. merchant mariners of World War II. This is the fifth time the bill has been submitted to Congress by Chairman Filner.

SUP aboard two more APL ships

As the West Coast Sailors goes to press, SUP sailors are preparing to board the APL Agate in Norfolk, Virginia, where the vessel will be reflagged from Singapore to U.S.-flag. Next month the same thing will occur in the APL Japan.

Coast Guard issues ruling to consolidate merchant mariner credential regulations

On March 16 the U.S. Coast Guard issued a final rule to consolidate the regulations covering the issuance of merchant mariner qualification credentials, to reduce the burden on mariners

Executive orders and legislation begin to reverse Bush anti-worker directives

President Obama wasted no time in beginning to fulfill his campaign pledges to assist American workers.
On January 29, he signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act which reversed a 2007 Supreme Court Decision on discriminatory pay practices

Employee Free Choice Act pits labor against capital

The financial markets are in tatters, consumer spending is anemic and the recession continues to deepen, but corporate America is keeping its eyes on the prize: crushing organized labor.

Unemployment soars as a half million jobs lost in November

Unemployment figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released on December 5, show a mind-numbing 533,000 jobs lost in November, the largest monthly jobs loss in 34 years.

California Voyager joins Chevron?s U.S.-flag fleet with Sailors? Union aboard in all unlicensed departments

Chevron Shipping Company added another vessel to its growing U.S.-flag operation this month when the California Voyager joined the fleet.