Crew of Maersk Alabama give new meaning to 'Union Strong'

[applexcore]

Just saw this story: Turns out 12 of the 20 American crew members aboard the ship were trained and are represented by the SIU. I guess those pirates didn't know they were messing with a union :patriot:

Story here: http://www.somdnews.com/stories/04082009/entetop142009_32247.shtml

Obviously, I hope the captain will make it back safe as well.





(edit for spelling)

[stray cat]

1. Pirates hijacked a boat carrying supplies and humanitarian aide to Kenya

next they will be taking volunteer doctors hostage.

[jwirr]

2. That was the first thing that struck me. If they had wanted the cargo

I would have understood but hostages - no way.

[rockymountaindem]

7. That's the whole essence of this piracy

They don't have the capability to offload cargo at sea or in port. All they have are a few skiffs and probably some decrepit mother ship somewhere. Therefore, their goal is to get aboard, kidnap the most skilled and educated people aboard (the captain and chief engineer) and take them back to port for ransom. The pirates don't know or care about what's aboard those vessels other than two people the owner will pay to get back.

[Turbineguy]

3. The Deck Officers are MM&P

The Engineers are MEBA

[Phx_Dem]

4. I guess that explains how they were able to take back their ship!

And they weren't even armed! Excellent.

:patriot:

[eridani]

5. SEIU has put out a video on this

http://action.seiu.org/page/invite/pirates

[Peacetrain]

6. Union made, and union strong.. take that right siders