AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Salutes Maersk Alabama Crew (ALL 20 are union members)

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/04/16/afl-cio-maritime-trades-salutes-maersk-alabama-crew/

by Tula Connell, Apr 16, 2009

The AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department (MTD) salutes the courageous efforts of the all-union crew aboard the Maersk Alabama for maintaining control of their vessel, as well as the heroic efforts of the U.S. Navy in rescuing Capt. Richard Phillips from his Somali captors.

Video at link.

Union members like John Cronan, third engineer and son of a merchant sailor, who summed it up this way on NBC’s “Today” show:

We didn’t have to retake the ship because we never surrendered it. We’re American seaman. We’re union members. We stuck together and did our jobs.

The eight licensed officers and engineers aboard the U.S.-flag vessel are members of either the Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) or Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA), while the 12 unlicensed crew members are represented by the Seafarers (SIU). Cronan is a MEBA member and a Seafarers member.

MTD President Michael Sacco, speaking on behalf of the maritime unions involved, said:

We are extremely proud of the efforts shown by the crew of the Maersk Alabama. These well-trained American merchant mariners exemplify the very best in our industry.

We also cannot say enough about the sacrifice of Captain Phillips to ensure his crew’s and his ship’s safety. Without his selfless act, we may have seen a tragic outcome.


FULL story at link.

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. That must go straight up the butts of right wingers. I love it.

Like Sully's crew on flight 1549.