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Membership report from the AMO National Executive Board meetings
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| In my opinion |
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By Susan McKenna
From February 5 to 8, 2008, I was privileged to be an AMO member observer during the AMO Executive Board and AMO Plans Board of Trustees meetings. I have been a member of AMO for many years and previously a member of SIU. Prior to the onset of the meetings, I thought that I was aware of most of the highlights of the inner workings of our union. I have used the Medical Plan. I am invested in a 401(k) and Pension Plan, and I attend classes and have upgraded all of my deep-sea licenses at the STAR Center. I could not have believed how much goes on during these meetings and how completely transparent and open the meetings are. I have learned how hard the executive board members and the members at large work on a daily basis at making AMO the strongest maritime officers' union in the country. This union is complex and controls millions of dollars. This is serious business. The lobbying which goes on in Washington, D.C., for our jobs is done by members and staff who have spent years and years building relationships with the political parties, and have probably been the least understood. How many members think about the VPAF? Do you know how it works? It is so important to support it. Our Medical, Pension and 401(k) Plans are very well funded. The people in charge of these departments are also well versed in their responsibilities and have been diligent in their fiduciary duties. Most have been with AMO for years also. The Plans are in very good shape and getting better all the time. I met various members of AMO and SIU counsels. Litigation is a constant deterrent to our strength as a cohesive body. Some litigation is inevitable, but some is frivolous, and costs us hundreds of thousands of dollars unnecessarily. That is just shameful. As an observer, I attended the meetings with the Plans trustees from the various shipping companies that AMO has contracts with. Once again, these folks are people who have been on the board for many years, some upwards of 20 years. The contracted companies have a vested interest in what goes on in our union. After all, they are putting their reputation on the line when they hire AMO officers. Their name is linked with us, and it is important that we conduct ourselves as professionally as we can. The board had the pleasure of being addressed by an executive of MMP and by the president of SIU. Both of these gentlemen spoke of unity, strength, proper leadership, integrity and openness in our dealings with each other and with our members. It was very impressive to hear our union receive commendation from these other unions and to hear of their commitment to a strong future for all of us. AMO is making strides to keep our members employed for the future. These are hard times that we are in now. I know. I lost my job on an LMSR ship. However, after attending these meetings, I feel even more encouraged and hopeful that AMO is moving in the right direction. We have some hard work ahead, but the dedication by our board is unquestionable. At present we have a board that is made up of a great mix of newly elected and seasoned members who are fully committed to positive change for AMO. In just a year, the results of their efforts are coming to fruition. It is truly refreshing! Remember that the industry and other unions are keeping a very close eye on us. We can't afford to be irresponsible. We can't afford to be divided. I would encourage any member of AMO to attend an Executive Board and Plans trustees' meeting as an observer. It will open your eyes to the highly complex workings of our union and benefit plans. I can truly say that I came away from the meetings extremely proud to be a member of AMO-now, more than ever. |
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