In this issue...
NCL redeploys Pride of Hawaii...Anthrax news...TWIC hearing on Hill...We go underground in a tuberiffic, au gratin edition as we peel back the latest hash-browned maritime tater tots. Don't fritter away your time on starchy, half-baked competitors that mash-up the news. We scallop them with a lightly salted carb-loaded issue that's French-fried with industry info from Ireland to Idaho. A real hot potato, the potassium-rich Telex Times is "all that" -- and a bag of chips!

NCL TO REDEPLOY PRIDE OF HAWAII
NCL Corporation, the parent company of M.E.B.A.-contracted company NCL America has announced that they will redeploy the cruise ship PRIDE OF HAWAII in early 2008 to the international trades. Due to the subsequent saturation of foreign-flag passenger vessels in the Hawaii trade, the company has determined that they will be better served with the ship sailing between European ports and points which will give an advantage to their other two U.S.-flag vessels in the Hawaii trade. NCL expects to implement the plan in February 2008. The vessel is expected to be renamed while it sails in the European passenger vessel trade and the company will open up its international fleet to American crews including expert M.E.B.A. officers.

An onslaught of foreign-flag cruise ships that piled into the Hawaiian trade lanes following NCL's landmark breakthrough in the state (with three U.S.-flag vessels) helped inundate the market and water down NCL's 2006 profits. Now the company will take the best course of action that will enable NCL and its M.E.B.A. crews to sail in a competitive global passenger vessel marketplace.

"We take this action with regret, but sure in the knowledge that a temporary retrenchment is the right thing to do for the good of the business and the good of Hawaii in the long run," said Colin Veitch, NCL Corporation's president and CEO. "We remain committed to building a strong U.S. flag cruise business home ported in Hawaii, and we need to make sure that our other two ships, PRIDE OF ALOHA and PRIDE OF AMERICA, are able to achieve acceptable profitability before we can confidently re-introduce PRIDE OF HAWAII."

"Clearly we are victims of our own success," Veitch continued. "We have demonstrated that Hawaii is a highly attractive cruise destination and Hawaii now has four times as much capacity serving it in 2007 as it did in 2004 when we started NCL America.

"We are now very hopeful that this latest measure will make the critical difference in ensuring the success of this important venture. We continue to have a vision of a strong domestic cruise industry in Hawaii and firmly believe that the combination of steps we have now taken will result in a strong NCL America delivering the best cruise itinerary anywhere in the world with the very highest standard of service at sea," Veitch concluded.

The company is committed to working with M.E.B.A. and SIU on the temporary restructuring of NCL's U.S.-flag business model. NCL is very pleased with the dedication and professionalism exerted by the labor unions on the Hawaiian class NCL vessels. As stated, the PRIDE of HAWAII is scheduled to be temporarily removed from the U.S.-flag registry in early 2008. Based on the strong cooperative working relationship between M.E.B.A. and NCL America, NCL has agreed to open up its foreign-flag passenger vessels for employment of M.E.B.A. officers in 2008. This is an excellent opportunity to expand M.E.B.A.'s presence in the international passenger vessel fleet while at the same time building a solid business relationship with overseas labor partners. In the near future, M.E.B.A. President Ron Davis will be working out details with the Norwegian Seamans' Union so that our members can remain actively employed in the cruise ship trade while NCL America adjusts its business plan.

M.E.B.A. President Ron Davis commented, "NCL's Colin Veitch and his team have demonstrated a commitment to the U.S.-flag passenger vessel registry when no other cruise ship company would. NCL enabled thousands upon thousands of American jobs through that decision. But tough times call for tough decisions, and M.E.B.A., NCL America and SIU will do whatever it takes legislatively or otherwise to keep the U.S.-flag passenger program on track. There is nothing that labor, management and government cannot accomplish when we are all aligned and dedicated toward a single purpose. We are looking forward to moving ahead with that plan and to building upon this important sector of the maritime industry."

MORE NEWS ON RESUMPTION OF ANTHRAX INOCULATION PROGRAM
The Federal Government is reinstating the Anthrax inoculation program for shipboard personnel entering conflict areas. There is strong likelihood that there will be a reactivation of ROS, PREPO-MSC and MarAd vessels in the near future, the extent and number of which is uncertain. As reported earlier in the Telex Times, this will require M.E.B.A. mariners sailing on ships under Military Sealift Command control to receive inoculations if their ship travels into the central command area of responsibility for 15 or more consecutive days. M.E.B.A. mariners serve on four dozen MSC Auxiliary and Special Mission ships as well as several other MSC-contracted vessels.

M.E.B.A. will be providing more information shortly. In the meantime, please review the MSC-provided power point slides (included as a .pdf document) on M.E.B.A.'s Hot site located at www.meba.us/MSC_Brief.pdf.

MEMBERS ALLEGE CONTINUED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OF AMO LEADERSHIP
Recently several AMO members filed a federal lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida against current and former American Maritime Officers (AMO) union officials. The suit names current AMO president Thomas Bethel, current executive vice president Dan Smith, current vice president Edward Kelly, current vice president Joseph Gremelsbacker and other current and former union officials as defendants in the suit. All the named current union officials, including Thomas Bethel are being personally sued in the suit. The 123-page complaint with attachments alleges several instances of union official misconduct including breach of fiduciary duty to the membership by knowingly aiding and abetting and failing to remedy continuing unlawful actions such as embezzlement and ballot tampering that has occurred in AMO for more than a decade. The complaint also alleges violations of the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA) by illegally redefining the AMO constitution to allow for the appointment of Thomas Bethel as the AMO President. As has been widely reported, Bethel is not the duly elected President of the AMO membership. In addition, it has been reported that Dan Smith was appointed by the non-elected President Bethel and other current board members as the executive vice-president of AMO.

M.E.B.A. is now reviewing the transcripts of the AMO criminal trial. There is an abundance of information that will be reported in future editions of the Telex Times. Based on the criminal trial transcripts, future issues will reveal that the AMO tampered with, illegally replaced, destroyed and buried the AMO membership disaffiliation ballots in the back yard of current AMO vice president Joe Gremelsbacker. Many may recall that the AMO disaffiliated with the National M.E.B.A. in the early 1990's. As the transcripts indicate, the disaffiliation vote by the AMO membership was apparently fixed like so many other internal referendums and AMO election of officers. Mr. Bethel may be able to claim ignorance for the past, but the testimony and transcripts are clearly in his possession now.

Also, in or around 1993, according to the transcripts, an AMO member candidate named Joseph Cerva was forced out of the union because he was the only remaining candidate for president and would have automatically become the head of the AMO had he had a fair shake under the Constitution. In this instance, former long time AMO President Raymond McKay died while in office during an election year. He passed away after the nominations had closed but before the ballots had been printed. Under the AMO constitution at the time, if a person runs unopposed, then he is deemed elected. Because the ballots were not yet printed, AMO's Mike McKay ordered that Mr. Cerva be brought up on union charges and be effectively thrown out of the union, according to the criminal trial transcripts, so that Mr. Cerva would not be on the ballot for the position of president. Once Cerva was thrown out, testimony revealed, Michael McKay appointed himself president.

The stories and testimony go on and on. At this time it may not be known who is the legitimate President of the AMO, but it is certain that Joe Cerva and Jack Hearn never had a legitimate chance.

See the publicly available complaint at www.meba.us/Hearn_v1_McKay_SD_Fla_Complaint.pdf.

CAPITOL HILL HEARING: TWIC ISSUES DISCUSSED, LACK OF PROGRESS CRITICIZED
At a hearing held on Thursday in Washington D.C., the Chairman of the Senate Committee for Commerce, Science and Transportation Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) criticized the Department of Homeland Security for failures in the development and implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). Citing six years of development and $99.4 million spent without an implemented TWIC program Inouye said, "I can only conclude that the Administration is not taking its responsibility seriously enough. If the agencies continue to neglect the basic tenets of contract management and programmatic planning, failure is certain to result."

Witnesses at the hearing included representatives from the Port of Wilmington, the American Waterways Operators, and Michael Rodriguez, Executive Assistant to the President, International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots. Rodriguez reiterated the support of organized labor for a biometric transportation security card like the TWIC. However, he also laid out workers' concerns with the TWIC program including worries that the card will be overly complex, that federal preemption is needed to prevent each state, port or facility from developing its own unique system, that burdensome costs might be placed unfairly on workers, and that overly broad descriptions of disqualifying offenses will unfairly hurt workers.

The Senate hearing concluded with pledges from the Senators that they are ready to work with DHS, the US Coast Guard, and other affected parties (like the US merchant mariners represented by the M.E.B.A., MM&P and SIU) to achieve a safer and more secure maritime transportation network.

TED STEVENS IS LONGEST SERVING SENATE REPUBLICAN EVER
This week, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) became the longest serving Republican in Senate history with almost 39 years of service under his belt and counting. He surpasses Sen. Strom Thurmond who actually spent more time in the Senate but served as a Democrat for over a decade. Sen. Stevens who has a strong record of supporting maritime issues was an appointee to the Senate in late 1968 to finish the term of Democratic Senator E.L. Bartlett who had died. He was honored by his Senate colleagues this week, among them Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.V.), the longest-ever serving Senator who has been in the Upper Chamber since 1959. The 83-year old Stevens has already announced that he will run for another six-year term in office next year. Arizona Senator Carl Hayden has the record for longest service in the U.S. Congress totaling almost 57 years spent first in the House then as a Senator until early 1969.

YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR MOLA BALLOT BY NOW
By now, members in good standing should have received a mailing containing a referendum on the Merchant Officers' Labor Alliance (MOLA). If you did not receive a referendum, or if yours was lost or destroyed, you need to contact the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and request one in writing from: Mr. Kenneth Egger, American Arbitration Association, 230 South Broad Street,
Floor 12, Philadelphia, PA 19102-4199. Phone No.: (215) 732-5260, Fax No.: (215) 732-5002.

The MOLA is a cooperation agreement between the M.E.B.A. and the MM&P. The MOLA agreement formalizes the cooperation that the two unions already enjoy. It charts out a system for us to work together on items of mutual interest. It is NOT a merger. The pact was crafted with the aid of both memberships who helped fine-tune agreement language. Though not required, it was sent out to the membership for ratification. This 90-day mail ballot must be returned by June 14, 2007. A rank and file tally committee will be elected at the regular June membership meetings. They will join an Impartial Administrator and convene in Washington D.C. to tabulate the ballots on June 15th. They will pick the ballots up from the depository on the morning of June 15th, so make every effort to mail your ballot well in advance.

SUNY SEEKING SUMMER SEA TERM INSTRUCTORS
The State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College is accepting applications for instructors for the 2007 Summer Sea Term aboard the Training Ship EMPIRE STATE VI. Qualified M.E.B.A. members can apply for the position that would involve teaching practical marine engineering subjects during the summer training cruise. The position requires a Second Assistant Engineers License or higher. Professional obligations begin on the 2nd of May and will continue through July 14, 2006. The compensation for the training cruise is approx. $7,000. Pierside training begins May 2nd and the ship sails on the 14th of May. The cruise ports of call include: Charleston, South Carolina, Rome, Italy, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Copenhagen, Denmark. For further information or to apply please contact Richard Burke at (718) 409-7412 or rburke@sunymaritime.edu.

MATSON NAVIGATION CELEBRATES 125 YEARS
M.E.B.A.-contracted company Navigation Company celebrated its 125th year in operation this week. The company was launched on April 10, 1882 when Captain William Matson sailed his three-masted schooner Emma Claudina from San Francisco Bay to Hilo, Hawaii, carrying 300 tons of food, plantation supplies and general merchandise. That voyage launched a company that has been involved in such diversified interests as oil exploration, hotels and tourism, military service during two world wars and even briefly, the airline business.

PAY YOUR DUES!
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.

SIGN UP FOR THE GOLF TOURNAMENT AT THE SCHOOL!
Contenders for the prestigious "U&F Cup" are encouraged to sign up soon before time runs out. The Calhoon Alumni Association golf challenge will take place on June 30th with many members determined to make a weekend out of it.

The registration period ends on June 15th but it would be wise to sign up early and reserve a room if you wish to stay overnight. Check-in opens up at 4 p.m. on June 29th and a special barbecue is scheduled from 5-7 that evening. The next day, there will be a morning brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. so members can fuel up for the golf tournament. The golfing will be a four person/Chief's Choice format and will take place at the Easton Club, 28449 Clubhouse Drive. That night, there will be a buffet dinner at the Easton Club. Those wishing to stay the night on Saturday can wake up to a continental breakfast the next day beginning at 10 a.m. Sponsors are still needed for golf holes and tees, golf balls and shirts. Hole & Tee sponsorship is only $100. $135 covers the whole weekend per person (golf with dinner, room, breakfasts, BBQ.) It will be $110 per person for those who wish to golf and take advantage of the dinner but don't wish to stay overnight or go to the BBQ. It's $50 per spouse of the player for dinner & BBQ.

You can visit the School's website to find out more or to get a sign-up sheet or sponsor form. For more info, e-mail Mike Fanning at mjfann@dmv.com or Rick Simonson at simonson@mebaschool.org. Jessica at the School can also handle inquiries. She can be reached at (410) 822-9600, ext. 306.

SILENT AUCTION TO BENEFIT MEMORIAL COMING UP - DONATIONS NEEDED!
A silent auction and raffle to benefit the M.E.B.A. Merchant Marine Memorial is scheduled to be held at the School on May 24th in the member lounge. The event, which runs from 6 p.m. to 11 that night, is being hosted by the M.E.B.A. Merchant Marine Memorial Foundation (4MF). The $10 cost will include hors d'oevres and the kickin' tunes for the festive atmosphere. Besides the silent auction, there will be a series of raffles that will increase your chance for coming away with some great stuff.

The proceeds from this auction will help usher in additional improvements and needed maintenance of the Memorial. Your donations of any items that will draw a bid or be good for the raffle would be greatly appreciated.

The IRS has confirmed that contributions made to the 4MF are tax deductible. You can also support the Memorial by purchasing an engraved memorial bench or a brick that will be part of the Memorial.

Please contact Jessica Milligan about donations or to purchase a brick or a bench by calling her at (410) 822-9600 ext. 306. Her e-mail address is jmilligan@mebaschool.org.  You can also get information or a donation form from the School's website located at www.mebaschool.org and by clicking on "What's New."

NEXT REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday May 7 - Boston, Seattle;
Tuesday, May 8 - Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville, San Francisco;
Wednesday, May 9 - Calhoon M.E.B.A. School, Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, May 10 - Los Angeles, New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, May 11 - Honolulu.