We can keep the union moving forward, upward

We can keep the union moving forward, upward

By Dan Shea
National Executive Board Member

I'd like to begin by expressing my gratitude to the American Maritime Officers members who voted for me in the 2006 election. I appreciate the confidence they have placed in me. I also want to assure all AMO members that I will represent them and work to promote their interests to the best of my ability, regardless of how they voted in the election.

My friends in the union know me as being both independent and outspoken. I'm pleased to know I don't have to check these qualities at the door as a member of the AMO Executive Board.

The new AMO administration has encouraged me to speak my mind and to do my part in maintaining an honest and open dialogue between the AMO membership and the union's elected officers. I have the support of everyone in this administration-President Tom Bethel, Secretary-Treasurer JosŽ Leonard, Executive Vice President Dan Smith, and on down the line.

The previous administration did not exactly welcome me on board. But, since Tom Bethel took the helm, I have been a welcome part of the AMO team. I have been officially on the job and working out of the port office in Oakland since March 1, but I have been involved in the union's management since early January.

One of my first undertakings on the job was to travel to Duluth to join the officers from the M/V Stewart Cort on the picket line. As you know, Interlake Leasing III fired the AMO officers from the ship after they refused to leave AMO and join the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association as the company had ordered.

The picket line was maintained 24/7 at the access road to the winter berth of the M/V Cort, with support from Great Lakes Assistant Vice President Brian Krus and Representative Stan Barnes, as well as Executive Board Member Dave Weathers and I.

Our struggle with Interlake is of extraordinary significance, as the company's insidious relationship with MEBA threatens to undercut pay scales and terms of employment for licensed mariners throughout the Great Lakes region.

The officers from the M/V Cort who I met and stood watches with on the picket line are all taking a risk and making a sacrifice for important principles-protecting the rights of their fellow mariners, fighting to maintain the labor standards and conditions established with AMO contracts, and making the point that the company's conduct is unfair and unjust. I am privileged to stand with them in this fight. I am impressed with their dedication to these principles and to AMO. I am proud of our union's full support of this strike.

Prior to the strike, I participated in my first AMO Executive Board meeting. I can report comfortably that AMO is moving in the right direction. I can say honestly that everyone I serve with in this administration wants what is best for the membership, even if there are different opinions on how to achieve it.

There has been much accomplished in AMO since I have been on the job. There is a lot more work ahead for us all. I know that, working together, we can keep the union moving forward and upward.

I look forward to seeing you on the West Coast.

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