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

MEBA TELEX TIMES       AUGUST 14, 2009

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 33

In this issue...
Meeting with MSC...TLC special on MAERSK ALABAMA...M.E.B.A. travel office...Short Sea shipping bill...Like a Cheshire cat, we lighten up and amuse you with a toothy new issue beaming from ear to ear with nautical news. Don't get glad-handed by scowling, down-in-the-mouth competitors that'll wipe the grin off your face. They're no laughing matter! Cheer up and brighten your spirits with the maritime-happy newsletter that'll turn your frown upside down. At your pleasure, the Telex Times gives you service with a smile!

MSC & M.E.B.A. MEET TO SHARE INTERESTS
M.E.B.A. Headquarters officials along with representatives from MM&P and SIU met with Military Sealift Command senior Headquarters officials to renew collective efforts to complete negotiations on management's proposed revisions to the Civilian Marine Personnel Instruction (CMPI). The parties shared interests at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Society in Washington D.C. hoping to move forward collaboratively in the most positive and constructive way possible. Management's primary interests are to follow prevailing maritime practice, as required by Section 5348 of 5 U.S. Code which requires that the compensation of Civilian Mariners (CivMars) be fixed and adjusted with prevailing rates and practices of the maritime interest, as nearly as is consistent with the public interest and to simplify convoluted language of the instruction. M.E.B.A. agreed to conducting interest-based bargaining (IBB) in lieu of traditional bargaining which the Union hopes will result in a renewed partnership positively impacting all dealings between the parties. Representing M.E.B.A. were President Don Keefe, Chief Counsel Nils Djusberg, Contracts Officer Mark Gallagher and Government Fleet Representative Randi Ciszewski.

MSC has proposed revising the CMPI for over a decade. The instruction defines work practices including how and when premium pay may be earned and is understandably significant for all mariners employed by MSC. President Keefe stated, "a positive labor management relationship is invaluable to the employer's operation and the membership. I believe the key to successful IBB negotiations is for both sides to help the other satisfy their interest on the bargaining issues. If management understands that M.E.B.A.'s primary interest is to protect the inherent rights and interests of the membership, the Union can more easily assist management with their primary interests. The M.E.B.A. membership can only benefit from a healthy and productive working relationship between the parties"

Ciszewski had this to say about the meeting, "establishing and maintaining personal relationships between Union leaders and management will benefit the membership. I sincerely hope that the parties can truly "partner" to avoid grievances, arbitration hearings and ULP charges that could have been resolved easily without tension. Interest-based bargaining works and prevents long and drawn-out negotiations with no accomplishments. Grievances and arbitration hearings can sometimes be resolved by phone calls. ULPs could be less frequently filed and routinely settled and employee morale and trust of management is usually higher when issues can be settled in off-the-record meetings where the parties get down to the crux of what was important away from the showmanship at the table."

HIGH SEAS HEROES: TLC SPECIAL ON MAERSK ALABAMA THIS SUNDAY
After several postponements, the Learning Channel (TLC) will broadcast a new one hour special spotlighting the MAERSK ALABAMA crewmembers and their ordeal against Somali pirates in April. "High Seas Heroes Fighting Back Pirates" will air on TLC on Sunday, August 16, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and repeated the same night from 11:00 to 12.

TLC filmed interviews with many of the ship's crew and their families to get a perspective on the incident not seen before on television. It is billed as "the untold story of how the unarmed crew waged a desperate battle to outwit the pirates, keep control of their ship, and save their captain." Check it out!

M.E.B.A. PLANS' TRAVEL COORDINATOR
Effective August 3, 2009 the Trustees of the M.E.B.A. Medical and Benefits Plan and the M.E.B.A. Training Plan have arranged to have an in-house Travel Coordinator provide travel services to Participants attending the M.E.B.A. Diagnostic Centers and the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School. Participants must book all flights through the Plans' Travel Coordinator by calling them toll free. The toll free telephone number is (877) 324-6322. Normal operating hours for the Travel Coordinator are generally Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (6:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time).

Use of the in-house Travel Coordinator is mandatory for all airline arrangements for travel to the Diagnostic Centers and to the School. Failure to use the Plans' Travel Coordinator may result in the denial of your air travel expenses. The former travel agency should no longer be used.

For more information about this change, visit the MEBA Benefit Plans' website at www.mebaplans.org under "What's New."

HIGGINS BILL PROMOTES SHORT SEA SHIPPING
M.E.B.A. is supporting a bill introduced by Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY) that would open the way to a more pronounced short sea shipping system in this country. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt certain shipping from the harbor maintenance tax (HMT). The HMT discourages the transportation of domestic cargo by water since its application has resulted in the multiple taxation of U.S. flagships. Once this impediment is removed, a short sea shipping system is much is more viable.

Congressman John McHugh (R-NY) had introduced such a bill earlier in this session but since then, President Obama nominated him as the next Secretary of the Army. Rep. Higgins picked up the baton and reintroduced the legislation. The bill, H.R. 3486, the "Short Sea Shipping Act of 2009," has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

UPDATED MERCHANT MARINER MEDICAL EVALUATION FORMS
The Coast Guard is releasing a new version of the CG-719 K (Merchant Mariner Credential Medical Evaluation Report) and CG-719 K/E (Merchant Mariner Evaluation of Fitness for Entry Level Ratings) forms to facilitate obtaining objective medical information which they say will enable them to make accurate and timely fit-for-duty determinations to reduce risk to maritime safety.

These new forms are designed to be used in conjunction with the Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 04-08, particularly enclosure 3, to facilitate obtaining objective medical evidence of an applicant's physical condition as it relates to their ability to perform duties as a merchant mariner. Mariners and physicians are highly encouraged to use the NVIC in conjunction with the new forms to provide as much documentation of an applicant's physical condition as possible. If the forms are properly and completely filled out and additional information mandated/requested by the NVIC/Instructions is provided, mariners, even those with medical conditions, should expect to see reduced processing times for their applications.

- These forms will be available via the NMC website (www.uscg.mil/nmc) for familiarization purposes on or before September 1, 2009. The Coast Guard is working to create both a printable user guide and to embed instructions in the electronic version of the form in order to assist both the mariner and physicians in completing the forms.

- The forms will be available for use on October 1, 2009. The previous version of the forms 719K, Rev (01/02), and K/E, Rev (10/02), will no longer be available from the Coast Guard after that date.

- Physical Exams completed on or after January 1, 2010 must be on the new form, Rev (01/09). Physicals completed and signed prior to January 1, 2010 will continued to be accepted with applications submitted after that date (must be dated within 1 year of application).

The CG-719 K/E should be used only by mariners seeking an entry level credential. That form is limited to applicants for the following rating endorsements: Ordinary Seaman, Wiper, or Steward's Department (food handler). The CG-719K should be used for all other endorsement applications.

COAST GUARD NOTICE ON DELAY OF MMC ISSUANCE DUE TO TWIC PROBLEMS
The Coast Guard recently issued a notice providing information to mariners concerning Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) issuance delays caused by Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) problems:

- Obtain a TWIC The first and most obvious issue is that some applicants whose applications were on file with the NMC prior to April 15, 2009, waiting to test or in an awaiting information status, still have not applied for a TWIC. If this is you, please understand that the NMC will not issue your MMC until we have confirmation from TSA that you hold a TWIC. Information on applying for a TWIC can be found at: WWW.TSA.GOV or by calling 866-347-8942.

- Identify yourself as a Merchant Mariner To avoid delays in processing your MMC Application (whether originals, upgrades, renewals or endorsements) it is critical that you identify yourself as a merchant mariner by selecting 'Merchant Mariner' as your occupation when you apply for your TWIC. Even if you have yet to apply for your MMC you must identify yourself as a Merchant Mariner. This identification is what triggers TSA to send your data to the Coast Guard. Applications for Documents of Continuity DO NOT require a TWIC.

- TSA Help Desk For applicants that have already received their TWIC and did not or can't remember if you chose Merchant Mariner as your occupation, you can call the TSA help desk to have your occupation switched to Merchant Mariner or just to check. Call 866-347-8942; Select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish; Select 4 to get a representative that can help you change or confirm your selected occupation. The operator will ask you several questions to verify your identity and make the change. The operator will also give you a Help Desk Ticket Number.

Write down and save this Help Desk Ticket Number. Having this number available will enable the NMC to quickly correct any further data problems associated with the occupation selection.

- Accurate Data on the TWIC and Merchant Mariner Credential Applications Mariners will need to ensure that the biographical information that you supply to TSA is the same as that used to apply for your MMC. The NMC has spent many hours researching and correcting data errors which prevented the Coast Guard and TSA from matching data (name spelling, SSN, birth date, etc).

CREDENTIAL APPLICATION FORM STILL VALID
The Coast Guard NMC announced that mariners should continue to use Credential Application Form 719B Rev (3/04) with an OMB expiration date of 7/31/2009 as the currently approved and valid application. This form is undergoing revisions in order to assist mariners in providing complete applications, simplify the application process and to align the form with the new Merchant Mariner Credential Regulations. When approved, the new revision will be phased in over a period of time which will be publicized in advance.

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday, September 7 - Labor Day - No Meetings
Tuesday, September 8 - Baltimore/Calhoon School (at CMES), Boston, Houston, Jacksonville, San Francisco (Oakland), Seattle;
Wednesday, September 9 - Charleston, New Orleans;
Thursday, September 10 - L.A. (Wilmington), New York (New Jersey), Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, September 11 - Honolulu.

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