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Agreement with Faststream offers new opportunities for AMO officers
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| Exclusive venture creates potential for shore side work, new U.S. and international shipping positions under AMO contract | |
Faststream specializes in recruiting and placing personnel in a broad range of positions throughout the U.S. and international maritime industries. The agreement with Faststream will expand the union's job base to include shore side positions for AMO officers with a variety of companies and provides the potential to open new positions onboard U.S. and international vessels not previously available to union-represented American merchant mariners. All jobs for AMO officers secured through Faststream will be covered under AMO contract and will include all required contributions to the AMO Plans, allowing AMO officers to explore new shore side or shipping opportunities without a change in benefits or union representation. Faststream Recruitment Inc. Vice President Craig Johnson attended the December AMO membership meeting in Dania Beach, Fla., and explained what his company does and the particulars of the new agreement to AMO members and applicants in attendance. The agreement was signed Dec. 3 by Johnson and AMO National President Tom Bethel. In the early phases, AMO will work with Faststream on marketing efforts in the U.S. and international sectors of a global maritime industry already feeling the grip of a shortage of qualified maritime officers. Faststream will also work with AMO to maintain superior market intelligence. Faststream will post shore side job openings with the AMO Dispatching Department. AMO officers will be able to apply through Dispatching for the available positions, although hiring will be on a competitive basis. Pay scales for shore side positions will be determined by the hiring companies at which the particular jobs are available. Contributions to the AMO Plans will be made by the companies at the full actuarially-required rates, allowing AMO officers to maintain their benefits. For seagoing work with vessel owners not currently under contract with AMO, Faststream will coordinate with AMO Dispatching for available positions. AMO officers hired for individual shipboard positions would work under a memorandum of understanding between the union and Faststream, including all actuarially-required contributions to the AMO Plans. Likewise, AMO will work with Faststream, an industry leader in recruitment, to recruit officers for available jobs with AMO-contracted companies that are not presently taken by AMO members and applicants. Officers recruited by Faststream for AMO-contracted work will become applicants for membership in AMO. "We've got a pretty good shot at getting some new business and going down roads in this industry that nobody has gone down before," Johnson said during his presentation at the December membership meeting. He emphasized emerging seagoing opportunities in the liquefied natural gas trades and other markets for AMO officers. "I think LNG is really hot and it will get hotter in two years," he said. "There is also a strong demand in the bulker market. "We're going to help move things forward, both with the groups you're working with and in exploring some other opportunities," Johnson said. Bethel expressed equal optimism about the new career possibilities the agreement with Faststream will provide for the AMO membership. "We're thinking outside of the box to pioneer new openings and career paths for AMO members," Bethel said. "This agreement will allow the membership to branch into areas not traditionally reached by American maritime unions. It also opens new horizons for AMO members who want to make the transition from sailing to shore-based careers while maintaining their benefits and representation." Bethel also remarked on the union's success and ongoing efforts to expand AMO's presence in international shipping. "This does not signal a departure or compromise in our strong position on U.S.-flag trades," Bethel said. "There is simply an enormous potential for growth in some international markets and we are taking steps to open these opportunities to the AMO membership." |
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