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MARINE
ENGINEERS'
BENEFICIAL
ASSOCIATION
(AFL-CIO)
"On
Watch in Peace and War Since 1875"
MEBA
TELEX
TIMES
DECEMBER
22,
2006
The Official Union Newsletter
NUMBER
51
In
this issue...
M.E.B.A./MM&P alliance pact...Seaport task
force makes recommendations...MarAd/Suez LNG reach historic deal...O come let us
adore a merry little issue making spirits bright with M.E.B.A. holiday treats.
Dashing through the news, we deck the union halls with a sleigh full of maritime
stocking stuffers hung by the chimney with care. A real nutcracker, the Telex
Times is a little Christmas miracle!
IMPORTANT
MESSAGE FROM M.E.B.A. PRESIDENT RON DAVIS ON THE MERCHANT OFFICERS LABOR
ALLIANCE BETWEEN M.E.B.A. & MM&P
On the 14th of December, MM&P President Tim
Brown and I signed the Merchant Officers' Labor Alliance made between M.E.B.A.
and the MM&P.
This document spells out a number of goals that M.E.B.A. and MM&P would like to
pursue together in the spirit of fostering and strengthening the fraternal
relationship between our unions. It sets out a governing structure and a method
of ratifying actions of a joint board of M.E.B.A. and MM&P officials.
President Brown and I have agreed that we will both send this document out for a
ratification vote of our respective memberships through a mail ballot of 90 days
to allow debate on the document. It is anticipated that this ballot could be in
the mail by the middle of February. We intend to circulate the document itself
in the union halls by the first of the New Year.
This message was also carried in MM&P's Wheelhouse Weekly.
PORT
AUTHORITY TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES RECOMMENDATIONS TO BETTER SECURE PORTS
A port task force made up of nonpartisan
government and business officials has announced its recommendations to greatly
enhance security at the nation's 361 seaports. The task force called for
mandatory cargo security standards, the appointment of a port czar, as well as a
port user fee to help offset escalating port security expenses.
The task force, chaired by Anthony Coscia, chairman of the Port Authority of New
York and New Jersey, was formed to generate public discussion of port and cargo
security matters and to provide recommendations that address current gaps in
port and supply-chain security.
Among other things, the task force recommended that federal legislation be
adopted to sanction minimum mandatory cargo security standards using innovative
technology and business practices to monitor every cargo shipment. They also
urged that a presidential appointment be made of a National Port and Cargo
Security Director, reporting to the Director of Homeland Security. That person
would have ultimate responsibility and accountability for coordinating port and
cargo security activities throughout the various federal agencies as well as the
international community.
Further, they called for establishing a nationwide "Port Security User Fee" by
January 1, 2008, dedicated exclusively to U.S. ports based on size, cargo volume
and risk. This fee would be used to offset capital and operating costs incurred
by port facility owners/operators associated with security installations and
operations. They also seek to establish response and recovery plans that are
unique to the regional environment of each U.S. port, allowing individual ports
to return to "normal business" as efficiently as possible after a disaster.
Mandate and conduct annual exercises that test the quality of each port's
response and recovery plans.
In addition to its primary recommendations, the task force identified other
areas in need of attention, including the continued development of the
Transportation Worker Identification Credential Program, which will provide a
uniform credential for individuals who need unescorted access to restricted
areas of port facilities.
SUEZ
LNG - MARAD CHIEF CONNAUGHTON REACH HISTORIC DEAL
Congratulations to Maritime Administrator
Sean T. Connaughton and Suez/Neptune LNG for reaching an historic international
deal for U.S. merchant mariners to sail aboard international flag LNG vessels
thus recognizing the need to protect our national security interests.
Connaughton negotiated with Suez to allow training for U.S. merchant mariners
aboard Suez's foreign flag LNG vessels and to eventually work aboard their LNG
vessels. There are still hurdles that must be overcome. M.E.B.A. has been and is
working with the appropriate agencies and governments to maneuver through the
hurdles. M.E.B.A. has been involved in the LNG projects proposed for
Massachusetts with all stakeholders and at all levels of local, state and
federal government for the past three years. We will provide additional details
in the near future.
The transport of LNG between countries to meet natural gas needs is a burgeoning
international industry, with the international (privately owned) LNG shipping
fleet growing at a rate of 15-20% a year. Today, all LNG ships worldwide are
flagged under non-U.S. countries. As a result, there are no U.S.-licensed
mariners on these vessels, and the U.S. shipping industry does not currently
share in this growing job market. This of course may now change thanks to the
new deal brokered by Administrator Connaughton and Suez LNG.
DUES
LAGGARDS WILL BE DROPPED
Any member or applicant two or more years
in arrears on their dues and/or service charges will be put under review by the
District Investigative Committee and WILL BE DROPPED from the membership or
applicant rolls. If you are in arrears and desire to retain your membership or
applicant status, you must contact Headquarters immediately to make payment on
your arrearage to return to good standing.
DEADLINES
FOR FILING 2006 YEAR-END VACATION AND PORT RELIEF CLAIMS
Wednesday, December 27, 2006, is the last
day that vacation and port relief checks, dated in 2006, can be issued in the
outports. 12:00 noon, Thursday, December 28, 2006 is the last day checks will be
issued from the Plan Office in Baltimore.
Any member who requires that his/her check be dated in 2006 must file before
these deadlines. Remember, December 25, 2006 and January 1, 2007 are holidays
and the outports and the Plan Office will be closed. Please check with the
individual outport offices for their holiday schedule.
If you have questions, call your local outport office or the Plan Office in
Baltimore.
ADDITIONAL
SAVINGS FOR MEMBERS & RETIREES THROUGH UNION PRIVILEGE
Union Plus programs, which are available to
all M.E.B.A. members and retirees, provide a vast range of money-saving benefits
and services. M.E.B.A. is enrolled dozens of moneysaving U.P. programs ranging
from life insurance to financing your children's educations. These benefits use
the power of millions of union members to get the best value. As a reminder, we
detail some of the programs we are enrolled in that allow you to save money:
MONEY & CREDIT
Credit Card
A union endorsed credit card, with low-rate balance transfers, a
competitive rate, no annual fee, strike skip payments and a unique Member
Advocacy Program.
1-800-522-4000
www.UnionPlusCard.com
Your Credit Score
Learn your credit score and get help improving it.
www.UnionPlus.org/CreditScore
Loans
Competitive-rate, personal and home equity loans. Ideal for debt
consolidation.
1-888-235-2759
www.UnionPlusLoan.com
Union-Made Checks
Union-printed checks and return-address labels that feature your union
logo.
1-888-864-6625
www.UnionPlus.org/Checks
INSURANCE DEALS
Pet Insurance
Cut the cost of owning a pet. Save 10% on pet health insurance premiums.
www.UnionPlus.org/Pets
HEALTH & WELL BEING
Health Savings
Reduce your family's out-of-pocket health care expenses with discounts
on dental and vision care, prescription drugs, hearing, podiatry and diabetic
supplies.
1-877-570-4845
www.UnionPlus.org/HealthSavings
Health Club Discounts
Pre-negotiated 20% to 60% discounts on monthly fees at over 1,500 health
clubs.
1-888-294-1500
www.UnionPlus.org/HealthClubs
EDUCATION SERVICES
Education Services
Provides information about loans, scholarships, how to select a school,
how to prepare for college entry tests, and much more.
1-877-881-1022
www.UnionPlus.org/Education
HOUSE & HOME
Mortgage & Real Estate
Makes buying or selling a home or refinancing a mortgage easier and more
affordable. Features include strike, layoff and disability assistance, and an
easy over-the-phone application process.
1-800-848-6466
www.UnionPlus.org/Mortgage
Moving Discount
Preferred moving discounts.
1-800-593-2526
www.UnionPlus.org/Moving
Pet Savings
Cut the cost of owning a pet. Save 25% on veterinarian services.
www.UnionPlus.org/Pets
Home Heating Oil Discounts
Save an average of $200-$300 a year on home heating oil. Available in
CT, MA, NJ, NY, RI, NH, ME, PA, MD, DC and VA.
1-800-660-0691
www.UnionPlus.org/HeatingOil
LEGAL SERVICE
Legal Service
Free and discounted legal assistance.
1-888-993-8886
www.UnionPlus.org/Legal
EVERYDAY SAVINGS
ConsumerReports.org Discount
Save 27% on an annual subscription to ConsumerReports.org, Consumer
Reports' online consumer information web site featuring Product Reviews, Product
Ratings and Buying Guides. You'll also get the latest issue of the magazine
online.
www.UnionPlus.org/ConsumerReports
Flower Discount
Save 15% when you send flowers.
1-888-667-7779
www.UnionPlus.org/Flowers
Union-Made Clothing Discounts
Buy union-made apparel and save with a minimum 5% discount on everything
you buy. Jeans, dress shirts, casual wear, jackets and more. Discounts at
Justice Clothing and Union Jean & Apparel Company.
Union Jean at 1-888-937-8009 (use discount code Union Plus)
www.UnionPlus.org/Clothing
Powell's Bookstore
Save on new and used books and textbooks at this discount unionized
Internet bookseller.
www.UnionPlus.org/Books
TRAVEL & RECREATION
Car Rental Discounts
Save up to 25% on car rentals.
Avis 1-800-698-5685, ID# B723700
Budget 1-800-455-2848, ID# V816100
www.UnionPlus.org/CarRentals
Cruise Discounts
Save a minimum of 5% on cruises anywhere in the world from M.E.B.A.-contracted
Norwegian Cruise Line. Enjoy Hawaii with NCL America, which operates US-flagged,
all union cruise ships.
1-866-867-0593
www.UnionPlus.org/Cruises
Worldwide Vacation Tours
Discounted international travel packages and tours. Union members save
$100.
1-800-590-1104
www.UnionPlus.org/Tours
Entertainment Discounts
Save on movie tickets and rentals, theme parks, theaters, and sporting
events.
1-800-565-3712, ID# 744387769
www.UnionPlus.org/Entertainment
Travel Center
The one stop for all of your travel needs including discounted car
rentals, cruises, RV and condo rentals. Make airline and hotel reservations
online through the largest airfare search engine on the Internet.
COMPUTERS & TECH
Dell Computer Discounts
Discounts on computers and accessories.
www.UnionPlus.org/Computers
Cingular Wireless Discount
Save up to 5% on cellular phone service with a unionized wireless phone
company.
www.UnionPlus.org/Cingular
Internet Service Discount
Get huge savings on high-speed dial-up Internet service. Features
include pop-up blockers, spam filters, virus protection and more.
www.UnionPlus.net
Broadband Phone Service (VOIP)
Save up to 85% on your phone bill with Union Plus Voice. It's easy to
use. Just connect to your existing broadband Internet (cable or DSL) connection.
A variety of calling plans with low monthly rates are available.
NEXT
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday January 8 - Boston, Seattle;
Tuesday, January 9 - Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville, San Francisco;
Wednesday, January 10 - Calhoon M.E.B.A. School, Charleston, New Orleans,
Portland;
Thursday, January 11 - Los Angeles, New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, January 12 - Honolulu.
--------FINISHED WITH ENGINES---------
