Seafarers International Union / News / Port Council Shows Solidarity with Workers, Maritime Industry
Port Council Shows Solidarity with Workers, Maritime Industry
The Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, to which the SIU is affiliated, has posted the following news item. To access the story on the MTD website, click HERE.
PUGET SOUND PMC ENDORSES LABOR COUNCIL'S RESOLUTION SUPPORTING WORKERS DURING PANDEMIC CRISIS
Even though physical distancing measures in place in the state of Washington prevented any in-person social interaction, members of the Puget Sound Ports Council gathered via computers and telephones on March 25 to show solidarity with the MLK (Seattle-area) Labor Council's resolution in support of all workers being affected with the coronavirus pandemic.
Included in the resolution was a paragraph dealing with the maritime industry: "We resist and block all efforts of all levels of government and private companies to lobby the executive and legislative branches of the Federal government to undermine the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Act, the Passenger Vessel Services Act, and other U.S. cabotage and cargo preference laws, with respect to the rights of workers."
PMC Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Baxter said the council's support for the resolution was unanimous.
Besides maritime, the resolution called for protection of all workers — union and non-union — who must remain on the job through the pandemic. It sought to make sure those who are laid off or furloughed be financially protected. In addition, it called for governments and agencies to work together to provide tests and equipment needed to fight the disease.
The Puget Sound Ports Council also announced the election of its officers. Capt. Tim Saffle is the new president. Vince O'Halloran will serve as vice president with Brother Baxter taking over as secretary-treasurer.