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

MEBA TELEX TIMES           MARCH 07, 2008

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 10

In this issue...
P.A.F.-supported member wins seat in FL State House...Forms released for Reunion...Smallpox vaccine changed...What's the word? We go cover to cover in a novel, literary volume citing the latest maritime news chapter and verse. Shelve those non-binding, dog-eared newsletters that publish fiction. That spineless pulp isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Author, author! A real page turner, read between the lines and thumb through the first-edition Telex Times -- it's one for the books!

M.E.B.A.'s TONY SASSO ELECTED TO FLORIDA STATE HOUSE
M.E.B.A. President Don Keefe, on behalf of the M.E.B.A., congratulates longtime member Tony Sasso who won a special election last week to serve in the Florida State House. M.E.B.A.'s Political Action Fund supported Brother Sasso's campaign.

Brother Sasso, who is M.E.B.A.'s International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) Inspector will represent District 32 in the Florida State House. That District includes most of Brevard County including the Kennedy Space Center and parts of East Orange. The election was held on February 26.

Sasso gained important experience for the job over the last six years as he served as a member of the Cocoa Beach City Commission. He also served as vice-chair of the Space Coast League of Cities. He has built a reputation as a hard worker who listens to constituents and practices open, honest, straight-forward government. He was endorsed by both the Orlando Sentinel and Florida Today newspapers among others.

Brother Sasso ran as a Democrat against a Republican opponent (who raised more money) as well as an independent. District 32 had been regarded as "Republican territory." He takes over the vacated post held by Rep. Bob Allen. Tony will begin his State House career by finishing the last eight months of Allen's term.

MSC (SLIGHTLY) ALTERS SMALLPOX IMMUNIZATION PROCEDURE
All Navy and Marine Corps commands and immunization clinics have stopped using the Dryvax Smallpox vaccine as of February 29, 2008 and are continuing the Smallpox Vaccination Program using the ACAM2000 vaccine. Mariners serving on Government vessels sailing into designated war zones are subject to Anthrax and Smallpox vaccine immunizations.

Military Sealift Command Medical has updated its Smallpox Standard Operating Procedures to reflect this change in vaccine, and the MSC Medical personnel and MSC Immunization teams responsible for executing the Smallpox Vaccination Program have procured the ACAM2000 so that the changeover will be seamless to mariners receiving the vaccination.

ACAM2000 is a vaccine that was licensed and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for protection against smallpox on August 31, 2007. Transition to this vaccine became necessary when Wyeth (the manufacturer of Dryvax) announced its plans to withdraw licensure of their vaccine. The current policy for administration of the smallpox vaccine remains unchanged regarding requirements for administering the vaccine and for those who need to be vaccinated. The vaccine is physically administered the same way, the training of the administrators of the vaccine remains the same, the requirement to educate those receiving the vaccine is unchanged, and policies regarding medical or administrative exemption remain the same. Studies done on the side effect profiles of the ACAM2000 Smallpox Vaccine have been found to be comparable to the side-effect profiles of the Dryvax Smallpox Vaccine and there was no statistical difference in the incidence of serious adverse events between ACAM2000 and Dryvax.

DETAILS SHORED UP FOR CAA REUNION THIS SUMMER
Calhoon Alumni Association President Mike Fanning has issued further details and put a link on the CAA webpage for attendees of this summer's reunion taking place at the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School.

If you are interested in attending the reunion, please fill out the event forms located on the CAA page accessed from the School's website (www.mebaschool.org). You can visit the form page directly by clicking the following link: http://www.mebaschool.org/caa_reunion_form?SESS=12740090dd9a1a0b755bc787a062d414&time=1204918475 

The long weekend begins on June 27th with the Golf Tournament which happens at the Harbourtowne Resort in St. Michaels, MD beginning at 1 p.m. The tired losers will be buying drinks for the lucky winners at the CMES bar later that evening.

On Saturday, June 28th, the all-day picnic takes place on the Manor House lawn. Fanning informs everyone that there will be, "breakfast, softball, beer, crabs, catered grill, beer, wine, roast pig, pit beef, entertainment, horseshoes, toy wagon, swimming, waffle ball, did I mention beer?, fire trucks, raffles, more entertainment, pizza, subs, and yes, more beer."

In his posting on the website, Mike says, "This year, 2008, brings with it some special anniversaries. Groups 1 and 2 celebrate 40 years since their graduation (1968). Groups 56, 57, 58, and 59 have been our for 30 years (1978), and Groups 80, 81, 82, and 83 go silver with 25 years (1983). If anybody from these groups would like to send in any photos so that I can make-up a few exhibits showcasing those younger days, I'll try to get it done. I cannot guarantee return of any items, but will turn them over to the CMES archives for future display."

If you want to reserve a room at the School, book it early. They are on a first-come, first-served basis and no phone reservations will be accepted.

Mike states that you should leave your fireworks and pets at home that weekend but says that boaters and RVs are welcome (electrical hook-ups only are available on a limited basis). If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mike Fanning at caa@mebaschool.org.

AMMV REMINDS WWII MM VETS ABOUT NY STATE BONUS
American Merchant Marine Veterans Public Relations Director Gloria Flora Nicolich penned a recent article reminding World War II mariners who lived in New York State that they can potentially claim a war bonus. She says that in 1946 many states gave a bonus to returning veterans who were residents. New York State gave $250. The last bonus was given in 1965. Through the years, the New York Legislature would reintroduce the measure but it wasn't until July 2007 that it became law.

Any mariner who resided in New York State during the period 1941-1945 and received his DD-214 for service in the American Merchant Marine may apply for this bonus. It does not matter where the mariner lives now. He must have been a resident of New York State during the period 1941-45.

If the mariner received any remuneration from any other branch of the service he is not entitled to this bonus. Those who served in the Merchant Marine during the Korean and/or Vietnam Wars were not given Veteran Status, and so are not entitled to this particular bonus.

In order to obtain this bonus, please register with Michelle LaRock, 5 Empire State Plaza, New York State Division of Veteran Affairs, Suite 2836 Albany, NY 12223. She will then send you an application. Return the application along with copies of all your papers, DD-214, 'Z' number and any other information requested.

Widows who never remarried may also apply for this bonus. When they receive the application, they must send copies of their Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Husband's Death Certificate, Husband's DD-214, and proof of his residence in New York State during WWII. Please do not phone. Write to Ms. LaRock.

STUDY CONFIRMS BENEFITS OF MOVING FREIGHT ON INLAND WATERWAYS
A new joint study by government and industry confirms the efficiency, cost-savings and environmental benefits of moving freight on America's inland waterways. The study, titled "A Modal Comparison of Freight and Transportation Effects on the General Public," was conducted by Texas A&M University's Texas Transportation Institute, and sponsored by the Maritime Administration and the National Waterways Foundation. Considering river barge transportation along certain corridors in the nation, researchers compared that mode's cargo capacity and fuel efficiency with over-the-road trucks and trains. They also compared the overall safety of the three modes; the impact of building and maintaining roads, rails and ports; and the environmental impact of each mode. The study may be seen online at www.marad.dot.gov.

SEN. BYRD IS AAPA "PERSON OF THE YEAR"
U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) will be honored as the American Association of Port Authorities' (AAPA) "Port Person of the Year" at the port association's annual Washington People's Luncheon on April 1 in Washington, D.C. The AAPA represents 150 of the leading public port authorities in the hemisphere.

They selected Sen. Byrd for the award based on his strong advocacy in Congress for increasing cargo and facility security at America's seaports. In addition to receiving the "Port Person" award, Sen. Byrd will serve as the luncheon's keynote speaker. During his remarks, he is expected to discuss the increasing security needs of America's ports and the port security agenda he has championed as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. As Chairman, Senator Byrd developed a sweeping homeland security package to help protect America's homeland from acts of terrorism. As part of that package, he created the Port Security Grant (PSG) program shortly after 9/11 and has been a strong advocate for the program ever since. Also as Chairman, he was successful in getting the initial $93.2 million PSG appropriation in the fiscal 2002 emergency spending bill.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS ON SUNDAY
The Department of Transportation has announced that Daylight Saving Time (DST) will begin on Sunday, March 9 for the larger part of the country. Most of the nation will return to DST at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9, when clocks will be set ahead one hour, providing an additional hour of daylight in the evening. Under law, DST is observed from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, with the nation returning to standard time starting Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008. Prior to legislation that took effect in 2007, Daylight Saving Time was observed from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. Federal law does not require any area to observe daylight time, but those that do must follow the starting and ending dates set by the law. No resetting of clocks is required for those parts of the country not observing daylight time: Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas.

UNION-MADE SHIP INCLUDES STEEL FROM WTC
Last week, the USS NEW YORK, the Navy's most modern troop and equipment transport ship, was christened at Northrop Grumman's Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans. What makes the ship unique is the 7.5 tons of steel taken from the wreckage of the World Trade Center that was cast into the bow of the ship. Ron Ault, president of the AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department noted that the hundreds of members from the unions that make up the New Orleans Metal Trades Council built that ship while they were still dealing with the devastating impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Metal Trades Council members have built, overhauled and converted thousands of such advanced Navy ships over the past 100 years and are justifiably proud of the craftsmanship and quality of these ships as they steam out of our shipyards and take their place in the fleet protecting our nation.

JAX MEETING DAY WILL SHIFT TO MONDAYS STARTING IN MAY
The Jacksonville Union hall will change its regular membership meeting day from Tuesday to Monday beginning at the meeting in May. The April meeting is still set to take place on Tuesday, April 8. Members should remember though, that Jacksonville will share its meeting day with Boston and Seattle beginning on Monday, May 5. The hour and location of the meetings will remain the same.

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday, April 7 - Boston, Seattle;
Tuesday, April 8 - Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville, San Francisco;
Wednesday, April 9 - Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, April 10 - L.A., New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, April 11 - Honolulu.

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