Close the WSF Wage Gap!!

M.E.B.A. Makes Case for Closing WSF Wage Gap

M.E.B.A. officials held a Seattle press conference at Colman Dock to address wage disparities affecting Washington State Ferry Engineers. The union highlighted how inadequate marine engineer wages have created chronic staffing shortages and burnout, threatening the system's ability to retain and recruit credentialed personnel. Officials warned that without competitive pay increases, the state's multi-billion-dollar investment in new ferry vessels cannot be properly operated or maintained by sufficiently skilled crews.

M.E.B.A.'s WSF Representative Eric Winge stated that "conditions causing crew shortages and canceled sailings remain unchanged" and emphasized that "if the wage gap between engineers and deck counterparts is not closed" delays would continue. He noted that private sector positions and comparable ferry systems offer higher compensation, and cautioned that without "more competitive pay we won't have enough licensed crew to operate and repair the new hybrid electric vessels."

A June 2026 survey of WSF engine room personnel revealed over 55 percent reporting low morale, with more than 60 percent likely to retire or seek employment elsewhere. The survey confirmed that excessive overtime and chronic understaffing significantly impact workers, and a strong majority indicated that closing the wage gap would enhance retention and recruitment.

Washington State is required to conduct biennial salary surveys for state employees, including marine engineers. The 2025 Legislature passed legislation requiring ferry employee compensation to be competitive with designated comparator jurisdictions. However, union officials contended that the Segal Group's wage survey failed to accurately compare WSF engine room wages by excluding private-sector operators, comparable East Coast ferry systems, the Assistant Engineer classification, and data from ferry systems without USCG-licensed engine room personnel.

M.E.B.A. Secretary-Treasurer Roland Rexha asserted that "the salary survey the state commissioned failed to comply with legislation to require true comparables for all engineer roles and comparison to wages in similar ferry systems like New York's Staten Island system." He suggested the state directed use of "cherry-picked data to hide the fact that WSF wages for engine room crew are uncompetitive and below-market rate."

MLL Fleet Renewal Begins in Late Summer

Maersk Line, Ltd. will commence fleet replenishment in late 2026 to reduce the average age of its Maritime Security Program vessels, which must be replaced before reaching 25 years. MLL plans to bring newer replacement vessels for seven M.E.B.A.-crewed ships. During transition periods, both older and newer vessels will operate with M.E.B.A. personnel aboard, requiring additional certifications for participating engineers. An All Ports Bulletin detailing these requirements was distributed to union halls and members with email addresses on file.

Six replacement vessels will be Aegir-class ships built in 2026; one will be a San-class vessel. Aegir-class vessels are dual-fuel, methanol-fueled ships requiring all engineering officers to hold advanced IGF endorsements. The San-class vessel features a dedicated 6.6KV switchboard requiring High Voltage endorsements for engineers.

The TAURANGA MAERSK (Aegir) will be renamed MAERSK MEAD and enter the U.S. fleet in August 2026, replacing the MAERSK DETROIT. The MAERSK SAN CLEMENTE (San), built in 2014, will be renamed MAERSK SUPERIOR and enter service in September, replacing the MAERSK DENVER. The MAERSK TACOMA (Aegir) will become MAERSK HURON around September, relieving the MAERSK SELETAR. The TEMA MAERSK (Aegir) will be renamed MAERSK POWELL and enter the fleet before October, replacing the MAERSK ATLANTA. The TANGIER MAERSK (Aegir) will become MAERSK CHAMPLAIN around November, relieving the MAERSK SENTOSA. The MAERSK TIANJIN (Aegir) will be renamed MAERSK ERIE and enter the fleet early 2027, replacing the MAERSK HARTFORD. The MAERSK TILBURG (Aegir) will become MAERSK TAHOE and join the fleet in June 2027, relieving the MAERSK KENSINGTON.

M.E.B.A. Family Member Awarded Union Plus Scholarship Money

Union Plus distributed $300,000 in scholarships to 181 students representing 42 unions, including one M.E.B.A. representative. Award recipients include university, college, and trade or technical school students from 42 states and one U.S. territory. The M.E.B.A. winner is Abigail Markley Ray of Gig Harbor, Washington, whose father, Alexander Ray, works as an M.E.B.A. member in the Washington State Ferry system.

Union Plus provides numerous money-saving benefits and services available to M.E.B.A. members, applicants, retirees, and affiliates, including life insurance and auto service discounts. The scholarship program operates annually, with applications for next year's awards available in September. Union Plus President Mitch Stevens noted that "the Union Plus Scholarship Program has provided over $6.2 million in scholarships to support the educational goals of union families" as the organization marks its 40th anniversary.

Senators Urge Reinstatement of Chinese Port Fees

Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have pressed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to reinstate Section 301 port fees on Chinese-owned and operated vessels to rebuild American shipbuilding and protect U.S. maritime employment. The lawmakers emphasized that China's global commercial ship production share has risen from less than 5 percent in 2000 to over 50 percent today, while U.S. shipyards represent only a small portion of worldwide output.

The Trump administration initially proposed fees on Chinese-owned and operated ships, producing a 23.5 percent decrease in Chinese shipyard orders within nine months. However, after China imposed reciprocal fees on U.S. ships and substantial tariffs on critical minerals for military technology and semiconductors, President Trump suspended shipping fees and restrictions for one year to encourage China to drop its restrictions. Within days, Chinese port order backlogs increased 25 percent. The Trump administration has continued emphasizing the necessity to "reclaim America's maritime strength" and generate "demand for U.S.-built ships, shipyards, and mariners."

The Senators' letter stressed that a robust domestic shipbuilding industry serves vital national security and economic resilience objectives. They requested the administration restore and maintain long-term fees while explaining the suspension's impact on American shipyards, mariners, and maritime workers.

Hazard Pay Authorized for CivMars in High-Risk Waters

The U.S. Navy has designated multiple key Middle Eastern and regional waterways as hazard areas, authorizing Civilian Mariners (CivMars) for Hazard Area Premium Pay while operating in those waters. This action recognizes risks CivMars face while supporting military operations and maritime logistics in challenging environments. The designation applies retroactively to February 28, 2026, providing additional compensation for eligible mariners who have served in affected regions during recent operations. Designated areas include the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea, and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, classified as hazard area through April 7, 2026.

Navy and Military Sealift Command leadership emphasized that premium pay acknowledges CivMars' critical role supporting fleet operations while facing heightened security risks. Hazard pay calculations will be determined daily based on a mariner's base salary and verified through official ship navigation logs and command endorsements. Additional compensation may be authorized for vessel or harbor attacks. Navy and MSC leaders characterized the measure as reflecting the service's commitment to ensuring CivMars receive fair compensation for operating in dangerous conditions while maintaining military supply lines and global operations.