In a move to liberate the U.S. Merchant Marine from restrictive and damaging federal tax and regulatory burdens, Congressman James Oberstar introduced on November 8, the Merchant Marine Cost Parity Act of 2001.
West Coast Sailors
In the aftermath of the events of September 11, Congress is beginning the legislative process to increase security in the nation?s ports and maritime borders.
In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President Bush has declared that the United States of America is at war.
Congress acted swiftly and with resolve on September 14, approving a $40 billion emergency spending bill to respond to the attacks and giving the president sweeping authority to retaliate against those responsible.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has implemented a draconian and invasive new rule regarding drug and alcohol testing records for merchant mariners.
The U.S. Customs Service has published a Final Rule that requires that equipment purchased foreign for repairs made by U.S.-flag vessels when they are outside of the U.S., including maintenance and repair while these vessels are on the high seas, are subject to declaration, entry and payment of a 50% ad valorem duty.
The SUP Committee on Constitution met at Headquarters to review, consider and make recommendations on the nine proposed amendments to the SUP Constitution and the ten proposed amendments to the SUP Shipping Rules.
Congressional leaders, unions, industry, urge full funding, maintenance of citizenship requirements; oppose transfer from MarAd to Department of Defense.
The annual fight to fund the Maritime Security Program (MSP) is ongoing in Washington, D.C. and across the country as Congress tackles President Bush?s fiscal year 2002 budget.
A report released in March by the International Commission On Shipping (ICONS) states that thousands of seafarers in 10 to 15 percent of the world's ships work in slave conditions.
Andrew Furuseth made sailors men, but Harry Lundeberg gave them lives worth living. No one, not even Furuseth, did more to improve the basic facts of life for those who go to sea...
The Bush Administration's proposed budget would severly hamper the development of the U.S. Merchant Marine. According to the Office of Management and Budget's "Blueprint for New Beginnings"...
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."