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

MEBA TELEX TIMES           MAY 02, 2008

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 18

In this issue...
TWIC date extended...M.E.B.A. working with MM&P on LNG... Rep. Gene Taylor saluted...Relax! Covering your back, we massage your ego and give you the special treatment you knead with a therapeutic, full body edition. We put the pressure on spineless newsletters that'll put you out of joint as we loosen you up with a deep tissue, tension-melting issue with a happy ending. Your pain relieving news masseuse with the magic touch - the Telex Times rubs you the right way!

DHS DELAYS TWIC COMPLIANCE DATE
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that the final compliance date for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program has been pushed from Sept. 25, 2008 to April 15, 2009. DHS said that the seven month extension is a reaction to feedback from port officials and industry, and this realigns the enrollment period with the original intent of the TWIC final rule.

However, DHS also announced that owners and operators of facilities located within Captain of the Port Zones Boston, Northern New England, and Southeastern New England will need to comply with the TWIC demands by October 15, 2008. These three ports were selected based on favorable conditions that facilitate near-term implementation. These ports are ideal for initial compliance based upon geographic proximity, the size of their TWIC enrollment population, and respective enrollment efforts to date. Additional ports will be announced in the coming weeks, and the Coast Guard will provide at least 90 days notice prior to enforcement.

TWIC was established in the Maritime Transportation Security Act and the SAFE Port Act to serve as an identification program for all Coast Guard credentialed mariners and personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas within a port. The program is on track to complete enrollment for a substantial number of jurisdictions by the end of 2008, and several ports will be required to comply with TWIC regulations this year.

This is a brief reprieve for something all Coast Guard-credentialed transportation workers must do. Members should still make sure to obtain their TWICs well in advance. You can pre-enroll for TWIC on the TSA Web site (www.tsa.gov/twic). Pre-enrollment speeds up the process by allowing workers to provide biographic information and schedule a time to complete the application process in person. This reduces waiting and in-person enrollment times for each individual. If you want to go directly to the pre-enrollment page, visit https://twicprogram.tsa.dhs.gov/TWICWebApp/ and click on "Apply for a TWIC."

The TWIC program is progressing steadily and has opened more than 100 fixed enrollment centers and dozens of mobile sites nationwide. More than 250,000 workers have enrolled to date and thousands more are processed each week. Enrollment began at the Port of Wilmington, Del. in October 2007.

Additional information can be found on the U.S. Coast Guard's Homeport site, http://homeport.uscg.mil, and on the Transportation Security Administration's web site at www.tsa.gov/twic.

M.E.B.A. & MM&P DISCUSS LNG INITIATIVE
In keeping with the terms, spirit and intent of the Merchant Officers' Labor Alliance (MOLA), M.E.B.A. and the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots are moving forward and will continue to work together to establish an LNG agreement that both unions can present to employers seeking U.S. merchant officers for employment in the domestic and international LNG trades. There are a number of important issues that need to be addressed and resolved and both unions strongly believe that the only way to ensure uniformity in labor standards and the protection of a U.S. living wage for their respective memberships is through open cooperation and coordination with one another on all collective bargaining issues.

REP. GENE TAYLOR SALUTED AT PROPELLER CLUB AWARD DINNER
Congressman Gene Taylor (D-Miss.-4) was honored as the 2008 Salute to Congress recipient this week at a ceremony in Bethesda, MD. The U.S. Propeller Club sponsors this lavish and prestigious event that culminates in the presentation of an award to a lawmaker who has shown strong leadership on behalf of the Merchant Marine. Rep. Taylor has been a strong champion of the industry since he first came to Congress in 1989 and has been deserving of this award for many years. He serves on the Armed Services Committee under which he is the Chairman of the Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee. On the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee he serves on the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation among others and is the co-chair of both the Coast Guard Caucus and the Shipbuilding Caucus. He was also an active member on the old Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee.

Several M.E.B.A. representatives, including President Don Keefe and Secretary-Treasurer Bill Van Loo, were in attendance at the "star-studded" event which attracts industry leaders, lawmakers and government officials among many others. M.E.B.A. was joined at their table by Military Sealift Commander Rear Adm. Robert D. Reilly Jr. and NOAA's Marine and Aviation Operations Centers Director Rear Admiral Philip M. Kenul.

HARBOR MAINTENANCE TAX REFORM CAN END NATION'S DREDGING CRISIS
The dredging crisis crippling the nation's ports and waterways is the direct result of the Federal government not spending tax revenues for their intended purpose, a national coalition of maritime users and shipping interests told a House Subcommittee this week. In 2007, the Federal government collected $1.4 billion in Harbor Maintenance Taxes, but spent only $751 million to maintain the nation's deep-draft navigation system.

"Federal ports and harbors cannot be fully maintained with existing Corps funding levels," resulting in a "dredging crisis...in many parts of the country," declared Jim Weakley, President of the Lake Carriers' Association, and a representative of the Coalition. He said ensuring adequate dredging would directly lead to increased and more efficient domestic and international trade. Although the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund was intended to collect monies targeted to dredging, it now holds a $4.7 billion surplus, Weakley told the Subcommittee, money that could and should be spent on dredging.

"Dredging can literally make or break [the maritime] industry and the maritime industry is the grease that lubricates trade," Weakley said. He noted that 99% of America's overseas trade and the vast majority of domestic transportation are tied to the maritime industry, yet the efficiencies of the system are limited by undredged or under-dredged ports, channels, and other waterways. Weakley testified before the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He asked the Subcommittee to consider legislation to ensure that monies taken in through the Harbor Maintenance Tax be spent on dredging. Congress established the Harbor Maintenance Tax and Trust Fund in 1986, taxing cargo moving through Federally-maintained channels. Shippers pay the 0.125% ad valorem tax on imports and domestic cargo.

NEW USTRANSCOM LEADER NOMINATED
Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, commander of the United States Transportation Command, has announced his retirement and the nomination of his successor, Air Force Lt. Gen. William M. Fraser III. Fraser currently serves as assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and is slated to become the USTRANSCOM commander on Nov. 14. The nomination is subject to confirmation by the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"The plan will be to do this in an orderly, disciplined way," Schwartz said. "We'll prepare General Fraser for his confirmation hearing, which will probably occur in June... Bottom line is it ain't over until it's over," he added. "We are fully committed to maintaining the pace until the last hour, the last minute."

Fraser's staff duties include tours on the Air Staff, Joint Staff and Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. He also has served as chief of the Nuclear Requirements Cell at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and chief of staff for U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

NEXT BRICK ORDER IS MAY 30th
The Calhoon Alumni Association will be placing the next order for memorial bricks for the M.E.B.A. Merchant Marine Memorial on May 30th. Memorial bricks can be engraved with names of loved ones and are part of the retreat at the Merchant Marine Memorial Park located at the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School in Easton, MD. The park, a tribute to fallen mariners, is shaped like a 600-foot merchant vessel complete with 5-ton anchors, a ship's bell and a stern section with a six-bladed, 22-foot diameter bronze propeller.

You might also be interested in purchasing a memorial bench in honor of a departed loved one. A bench is a perfect vantage point to gaze around the park and reflect upon the contributions of mariners who have sailed into the sunset. Anyone wishing to purchase a brick or bench must complete and return a donation form and monies before the next order date. Please continue to help the cause - donations are greatly needed for the maintenance of the park!

For more information and to obtain the form please visit the School's website at www.mebaschool.org and click on "What's New" or contact Jessica Milligan at (410) 822-9600 ext. 306. The e-mail address is memorial@mebaschool.org.

PRESIDENT PRESENTS MSC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH NATION'S HIGHEST CIVIL SERVICE AWARD
Congratulations to Richard (Rick) Haynes, executive director of the Military Sealift Command, who was among 45 Senior Executives Service members to receive the nation's highest civil service award - the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award. President Bush presented him with the honor at a ceremony this week at the White House.

Haynes is an integral part in overseeing MSC's operation of over 110 ships supporting replenishment of U.S. forces worldwide. In recent years, MSC has made headlines with its support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, aiding the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami and the evacuation of 6,700 Americans from Lebanon.

"I'm the fortunate beneficiary of the dedicated work of the entire MSC workforce afloat and ashore," Haynes said. "I'm honored to be working with such a talented team and I truly believe their efforts are the reason I received this award."

Haynes assumed the Executive Director position in March 1997. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service by the Secretary of the Navy in 1985 to serve as the General Counsel of MSC. In 1991 and 2001, he was awarded the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive.

ROOMS GOING FAST FOR CAA REUNION
Calhoon Alumni Association President Mike Fanning reports that there has been terrific response for the upcoming Reunion this summer with over 160 members and guests already registered. The CAA hosts the Reunion for members and retirees as well as their friends and families. It is set to take place at the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School from June 27-29.

Fanning notes that available rooms are about 50% booked. "If you have plans to make this year's event please get those registration forms in ASAP," he says. "Don't be left out on Light Street looking in."

Fanning also demanded that more members sign up for the golf tournament that kicks off the festivities on Friday, June 27. "I've met more scratch golfers and 300 yard hitters at coffee time than I have ever seen on the golf course. The time has come to 'putt up or shut up!'"

Can't make this year's event? Fanning points out, "Have I got a deal for you! For less than the cost of 1 barrel of fuel oil you, your ship, or your company can sponsor a golf hole, a keg, or a bushel of crabs. Our goal is to fully fund the "keg plan." You may not be there but we will put your name "up in lights." Thank you all for your support," he concludes.

You heard him! Now get busy! Reunion details can be accessed from the School's website (www.mebaschool.org). Those interested in attending should fill out the event forms located online.

If you want to reserve a room at the School, book it soon. 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."

JAX MEETING DAY WILL SHIFT TO MONDAYS STARTING NEXT WEEK
The Jacksonville Union hall will permanently change its regular membership meeting day from Tuesday to Monday beginning next week (Monday, May 5). The hour and location of the meetings will remain the same.

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monday, May 5 - Boston, Jacksonville, Seattle;
Tuesday, May 6 - Baltimore, Houston, San Francisco;
Wednesday, May 7 - Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, May 8 - L.A., New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, May 9 - Honolulu.

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