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

MEBA TELEX TIMES           JUNE 27, 2008

The Official Union Newsletter

NUMBER 26

In this issue...
M.E.B.A. endorses Obama...Charlie Black sails into the sunset... OSG plan for cleaner fuel on M.E.B.A. ships...Short sea shipping roundtable...Where's the beef? Fattened up with news and fresh off the feedlot, we herd you in to a stunning, USDA-approved slaughterhouse-style edition. Don't 'have a cow' over processed, bare-bones newsletters that bleed you dry and treat you like a piece of meat! We get under their skin, put them through the grinder and spill our guts with a market-ready issue ready for human consumption. Set to make a killing, the Grade "A" Telex Times puts you in hog heaven!

M.E.B.A. ENDORSES OBAMA
The M.E.B.A. is pleased to announce our endorsement of Senator Barack Obama as the next President of the United States of America.

Sen. Obama has voiced his strong support for U.S. maritime statutes and programs critical to our union and industry such as the Jones Act, Maritime Security Program and cargo preference laws. Among other things, Sen. Obama has stated that, "maintaining the American merchant marine fleet is vital to our economy and national security." The Senator's record and statements indicate that he is onboard with our view that we should do everything in our power to preserve and strengthen the U.S. Merchant Marine and the important maritime statutes that help keep our fleet afloat.

He has also been a strong proponent of unions with a 98% voting record on pro-labor issues, as ranked by the AFL-CIO. Sen. Obama supports Davis-Bacon wage protections, voted to increase the minimum wage and is a champion of the Employee Free Choice Act. He has said, "We need to strengthen our unions by letting them do what they do best-organize our workers. If a majority of workers want a union, they should get a union. And that is why I'll fight for and why I intend to sign the Employee Free Choice Act when it lands on my desk in the White House."

We believe that Sen. Obama is the candidate best equipped to tackle the many economic challenges facing our nation and will fight for the beneficial change that working men and women in this country deserve. Maritime is a bipartisan industry. The M.E.B.A. continues to support a great number of Republican lawmakers and has endorsed many Republican Presidents in the past. However in the 2008 Presidential election, the lines are clearly drawn and only one candidate has committed himself to work on behalf of labor and maritime.

M.E.B.A. President Don Keefe declared, "As a first year president, I understand firsthand what it takes to answer the call for change. I share Sen. Obama's passion to deliver fresh ideas and realistic approaches to problems that affect the working families that carry this country on their backs. It is up to us as the new generation of leaders to protect our country and industry by committing to change. In that same spirit, I believe it is important that we work on behalf of the Obama campaign to help create a better future for the labor movement and maritime industry. I look forward to working with him and his Administration towards a bright future."

The announcement came after a conference call this week of AFL-CIO leaders who voted, without opposition, to endorse Sen. Obama for president. AFL-CIO's endorsement thrust the labor federation's largest-ever grassroots mobilization effort into high gear.

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said, "Barack Obama has proven from his days as an organizer, to his time in the Senate and his historic run for the presidency, that he's leading the fight to turn around America. He's a champion for working families who knows what it's going to take to create an economy that works for everyone. We're proud to stand with Sen. Obama to help our nation chart a course that will improve life for generations of working people and our children."

"We'll work our hearts out for Barack Obama," said AFSCME President and AFL-CIO Political Committee Chair Gerald McEntee. "Our program is going to be worker to worker and neighbor to neighbor. We're ready to mobilize. We're ready to rock and roll. This country and our people are ready for change."

The AFL-CIO also launched a new website that provides extensive information on Obama's background, record and positions (www.MeetObama08.com).

United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard said, "Senator Obama's plan to revitalize American manufacturing and his commitment to make workers the top priority in any trade agreement give our members hope that his election will lead the country in a new direction that's long overdue, and inspire us to work as never before to secure his victory."

LONGTIME UNION OFFICIAL C.A. (CHARLES) BLACK IS DEAD AT 92
M.E.B.A. received word late that longtime Union official Charlie Black has steamed into the sunset at the age of 92. Charlie Black died last month in his adopted home of Reno, NV and is buried in the city's Masonic Memorial Gardens at Mountain View Cemetery. Born in Kansas, he spent his first 18 years on a farm. He left the state for the first time when he took up an offer to earn $25 for delivering a new 1935 Dodge to Portland, OR. After he got a look at the Portland waterfront, he became enamored with the sea and soon after enrolled with the MFOW. He sailed as an oiler until 1943 when he joined M.E.B.A. Local 97 (San Francisco) and suited up in the blue and gold.

Charlie was shipping out as Chief Engineer when his interest in union politics began to get the best of him. In 1964, he served as the Dispatcher in the San Francisco hall before becoming Patrolman there the next year. In January 1967, Brother Black was elected as the President of the Pacific Coast District. When M.E.B.A. District No. 1 & the PCD merged in 1968 forming an all-coast unit, Charlie became Executive Vice President under Jesse Calhoon. He remained in that position another year before his election as Secretary-Treasurer serving in M.E.B.A. Headquarters at Battery Park in New York City.

A steady and influential force in the Union, the respect for Brother Black was evidenced by his appointment to the seven-person Committee on American Shipbuilding by President Richard Nixon in 1970. In 1977, shortly after M.E.B.A. Headquarters relocated to Washington D.C., Charlie decided to retire and stepped down as Secretary-Treasurer at the end of the year following an incredibly productive and distinguished 41-year career in the industry. In retirement, he moved his family to Reno, NV and got involved with the Reno Rodeo Association, helped in organizing many parades and was the inspiration in forming the first Drill Team competition that led Reno to several National Championships. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary Alice and is survived by his devoted daughter Shelley and son-in-law Tim Farrell, his step-son Tracy and daughter-in-law Barbara Crawford, three grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

CONGRESSIONAL SHORT SEA SHIPPING/MARINE HIGHWAYS ROUNDTABLE
On Wednesday June 18th, eight-term Congressman John Mica, Ranking Republican Member of the Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, sponsored a roundtable discussion with attendees from every walk of the maritime industry including the M.E.B.A. The discussion was based around further examining options and roadblocks for the enhanced use of our coastal and inland waterways. Among other concerns, nearly every stakeholder present expressed frustration with the Harbor Maintenance Tax which is especially burdensome to U.S. shipping companies. The work of our legislative team and recent activity in both the House and Senate seem to indicate a turn towards repeal of this duplicative regulation. We will keep you posted.

HEARD AT THE HEAD - M.E.B.A. ITEMS OF INTEREST
M.E.B.A. Corpus Christi Representative Boby Lewis has undergone successful heart bypass surgery. Please keep him in your thoughts for a swift recovery. Members with needs in the Corpus Christi area can direct their phone calls and faxes to Houston...The American Maritime Congress has hired a new Legislative Representative who began work this week. Matt Dwyer previously worked within the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee as an aide...M.E.B.A. has a new Legislative & Political Representative after former Political Director Mike Bocchini relocated to Germany. Quentin Hines, who has a Capitol Hill background, has been on the job for over a month and can be contacted at Headquarters...Former M.E.B.A. President Larry O'Toole, sporting a full beard, dropped by Headquarters this week to visit with HQ officials. Larry's granddaughter has just completed her first year at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy...Those members wishing to forward sympathy cards to the family of A.J. McIntyre, who died last week, can send them to our Norfolk hall. Rep. Jeff Hauck will make sure the family receives them. There will likely be a service for A.J. in mid-July. Jeff will be able to inform you of details once they are finalized.

OSG & TESORO COMMIT TO CLEANER FUEL ABOARD M.E.B.A. NEWBUILDS
OSG America has announced that it has signed an agreement with Tesoro Maritime Company to obtain American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) environmental safety notations on four Handysize product tankers leased to Tesoro. These vessels, part of OSG America's series of 12 newbuild Veteran Class MT-46 product tankers (constructed by Aker Philadelphia Shipyard) are the first in the U.S. to receive the designation, which requires that the main engine burn fuel oil with 3% or less sulphur content, well below the current requirement of 4.5%. This type of fuel, to be supplied by Tesoro, reduces sulfur oxides and particulate emissions. Tesoro is an independent refiner and marketer of petroleum products and operates seven refineries primarily on the West Coast. The ABS environmental safety notation requires vessels to be compliant with all International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), and all U.S. and ABS requirements related to environmental operations, equipment and documentation.

The first newbuild tanker to be delivered under time charter to Tesoro with the environmental safety notation will be the OVERSEAS BOSTON, scheduled to deliver in the first quarter of 2009. Tesoro has time chartered three additional newbuilds from OSG America that will deliver through 2010. Reportedly, those ships will be the OVERSEAS NIKISKI, OVERSEAS TAMPA and OVERSEAS PORT ARTHUR. The vessels will trade on the West Coast of the United States. M.E.B.A. is crewing up all 12 of the OSG product tankers being built at Aker.

SUPREME COURT SLASHES EXXON VALDEZ PUNITIVE DAMAGES
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court reduced the $2.5 billion punitive damages award in the long-running EXXON VALDEZ lawsuit to no more than $507.5 million. The high court, voting 5-3, said the original award was excessive under federal maritime law. The class action lawsuit, which has been running for nearly twenty years, centered on a dispute over the $2.5 billion in punitive damages awarded after 11 million gallons of crude oil spilled in March 1989 in Alaska's Prince William Sound after the ship ran aground.

In the high court's majority opinion, Associate Justice David Souter wrote that the punitive damages award should be brought into line with compensatory damages awarded earlier in the case. "The award here should be limited to an amount equal to compensatory damages," Souter wrote. He said, "A 1:1 ratio, which is above the median award, is a fair upper limit in such maritime cases." Joining Souter in the majority were Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Anthony Kennedy. Dissenting were Associate Justices John Paul Stevens, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer. Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from the case because he owns stock in Exxon.

Ginsburg, in her dissenting opinion, said the justices were engaging in "lawmaking" by ruling punitive damages may not exceed what the company already paid in compensation for victims' economic losses. "The new law made by the court should have been left to Congress," Ginsburg wrote.

Exxon based its appeals on an 1818 court decision that holds that ship owners aren't liable for punitive damages for the actions of their agents at sea unless they're complicit in their behavior. The company also argued it should not face any punitive damages because the company already has paid out $3.4 billion in fines and penalties, cleanup costs, claims, among other expenses.

COAST GUARD CHRISTENS NEW NATIONAL MARITIME CENTER
The U.S. Coast Guard unveiled its National Maritime Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication this week in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Although not yet fully staffed, the NMC is fully operational and houses U.S. Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation production as well as the Merchant Mariner Training Course Approval and Oversight Program. The center is expected to employ approximately 200 military, federal civilian and contract employees once fully staffed. Construction of the 60,000 square-foot NMC began in late 2006 and was completed in December 2007. The NMC moved from its temporary facility in Kearneysville to the new facility in Martinsburg once construction was completed.

The mission of the NMC is to issue credentials to qualified mariners and approve maritime training courses in the most efficient and effective way possible. While the Coast Guard's Mariner Licensing and Documentation program is centralized at the center, 17 Regional Examination Centers operate as "storefronts and advocates" for the approximately 212,000 actively employed merchant mariners who require the services of the NMC.

TWIC UPDATE - WEBSITE ADDRESSES
The Transportation Security Administration's latest "TWIC Dashboard Report" shows that 350,115 maritime workers have applied for TWIC credentials and 157,127 cards have been activated.

You can see the report by navigating to this link: www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/twic_dashboard_060608.pdf.

The latest information on the national compliance date for the TWIC program can be viewed at this link: www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2008/0502.shtm. 

If you would like to see which TWIC Enrollment Centers have been opened lately click this webpage: http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/twicquarterlydeploymentschedule.pdf.

To get enrollment center addresses visit http://twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov/twicinfo/schedule.jsp. 

If you would like to check the status of your TWIC or schedule a pick up go to https://twicprogram.tsa.dhs.gov/TWICWebApp/StatusCheckPrep.do.

As our members know, to apply for a TWIC, you must first enroll at any TWIC enrollment center. Pre-enrollment through the TSA website, www.tsa.gov/twic, will expedite processing time at the center. You will need to pick up your TWIC, after being notified that it is ready, at the same enrollment center where you applied. In order to ensure the information on your TWIC application is forwarded to the U.S. Coast Guard for the processing of your merchant mariner credential application, you must identify yourself as a mariner at the TWIC enrollment center. You must also provide proof of citizenship and/or alien status and your Social Security Number.

O.W.S. RETROFITS, MONITORING SYSTEM ARE PART OF OIL DUMPING SETTLEMENT
In a case involving illegal discharges of oily waste from an ocean-going vessel that entered the Port of Newark in June 2006, a federal judge in Newark recently accepted a plea agreement between the government and Clipper Marine Services A/S, a Danish company. In addition to making a total monetary payment of $4.75 million, the company has agreed to retrofit certain ships with state-of-the-art oily water separators and implement a pilot program involving a cutting-edge real-time remote monitoring system to track oil waste levels and the usage of oil waste processing equipment on board five of its ships.

Clipper Marine Services was indicted along with two related companies on March 20, 2007, in connection with an attempt by crew members of the Bahamian-flagged M/T CLIPPER TROJAN to cover up illegal discharges of oily waste in international waters.

Clipper pleaded guilty and admitted that it conspired to defraud the U.S. Coast Guard by maintaining a false Oil Record Book onboard the ship that concealed overboard discharges of oil sludge and oil-contaminated bilge water between February and June of 2006. Clipper also acknowledged that it was responsible for the actions of the ship's Chief Engineer, who maintained the false Oil Record Book and presented it to the U.S. Coast Guard during a port state control inspection at Port Newark on June 15, 2006.

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

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