THE MASTERS, MATES AND PILOTS'
WHEELHOUSE WEEKLY

Bridging the Information Gap With E-News You Can Use

Volume 5. . . . . Number 29. . . July 20, 2001

STORIES COVERED

ALSO

 

UPDATE ON E-SHIPS CONTRACT

Agreement on the final language of the E-ships contract, which will be retroactive to January 1, 2001, is still being worked out. Details will be published in the Wheelhouse Weekly when they become available.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

INTERNATIONAL SHIPHOLDING TO CUT SHORESIDE JOBS

According to the Journal of Commerce, MM&P-contracted International Shipholding Corp., the parent company of Waterman Steamship, Forest Lines, and Central Gulf has eliminated 45 jobs from its New Orleans and New York offices.

Niels W. Johnsen, chairman of International Shipholding, said that the decision to eliminate the jobs was related to the US Navy's decision to discontinue charters with the company.

The Military Traffic Management Command had used three Central Gulf lighter aboard ship (LASH) vessels as ammunition carriers but has switched to container ships. Johnsen said loss of the charter resulted in the company having surplus staff.

At the end of last year International Shipholding had 271 shoreside jobs. The staff reductions will not result in any changes to Waterman or Forest Lines services.
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

E-COMMERCE WAY UP WITH CSX-LINES NETCAPTAIN SERVICE

MM&P-crewed CSX Lines recently reported that 30 percent of its shipping business is being booked online with its NetCaptain suite of applications. NetCaptain lets customers follow the progress of their shipments and electronically submit documentation and instructions to the company.

The company said it hopes to be booking 70 percent of shipments through NetCaptain by year's end. For this and other real time vessel scheduling info, check out the CSX Lines website at: csxlines.com.
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

HAWAII COMPETITION HEATS UP AS NEW CARRIER PLANS SERVICE

A new shipping company has announced plans to build two new ships and begin a new container service between Hawaii and Southern California in 2003. Santa Maria Shipping has awarded Bender Shipbuilding and Repair Co. of Mobile, AL a contract to build two ships, each capable of carrying 367 45-FEU containers. The two companies plan to sign a contract for the ships in a ceremony at the shipyard on Friday, July 20.

The company believes that there is a huge market for domestic shipping in the US that is untapped. The Journal of Commerce reports that the company is also interested in entering other domestic markets at some future date.

Santa Maria is seeking Title XI loan guarantees for the project. The company hopes to begin construction on the two ships within six months after completing engineering and "funding is wrapped up and in place." The 450-foot long, 11,120 dwt ships will have a draft of about 24 feet and be able to achieve a speed of 18 knots.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

NEXT WEEK MARKS HARRY BRIDGES 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN L.A.

A weeklong celebration July 23-29 in the LA Harbor area will mark the 100th birthday of legendary labor leader Harry Bridges. A highlight of the week will be a parade over the Vincent Thomas Bridge on July 28. The route begins on Terminal Island and ends in San Pedro.

Events leading up to the parade and party will include a historical exhibit at the LA Maritime Museum, a LA Harbor Art Walk, a play and award presentation at the Warner Grand Theatre about the life of Harry Bridges, boat tours and history walks. On Sunday, July 29, guests can take a one-day cruise aboard the LANE VICTORY. The weeklong celebration is co-sponsored by the ILWU and the Harry Bridges Institute.

MM&P members are encouraged to participate in this weeklong salute to this maritime labor leader who was recognized worldwide for his toughness and honesty as well as his visionary outlook. He was one of a handful of labor leaders who embraced internationalism and demonstrated solidarity with workers in other countries. In tribute to him, dockworkers from as far away as Japan and Korea will be attending the event.

Contact Capt. Dave Boatner, MM&P's Pacific Ports Agent at the LA/LB Hall at 310-834-7201; Email: dboatner@bridgedeck.org for more information.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly


 

AFL-CIO WORKERS PROTEST 'SHAM' SAFETY HEARINGS

Led by AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka, and waving signs, activists on July 16 protested in Arlington, VA, at a U.S. Department of Labor hearing so stacked in favor of Big Business that workers' advocates denounced it as a sham.

In March, congressional leaders and President George W. Bush repealed the worker safety rule that could have protected millions of workers from repetitive strain injuries (such as carpal tunnel syndrome). Now the Department of Labor is holding hearings in three cities this month, but is backpedaling on developing worker protections.

"Every day that passes without these protections, nearly 5,000 workers are hurt," Trumka testified at the hearing. The next panels are July 20 in Chicago and July 24 in Palo Alto, Calif.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly


 

LONG TIME COMING AS NLRB RULES IN FAVOR OF AVONDALE WORKERS

After eight years of litigation, a National Labor Relations Board administrative law judge has held that Avondale Shipyard should be required to repay $5.4 million to the U.S. Navy for legal fees incurred during Avondale's fight against union representation and to rehire and provide back pay and benefits to some 22 workers who were fired illegally.

At this point, Avondale's liability for the legal fees and back pay is nearly $10 million, according to the AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department. "These remedies are long overdue. We are especially pleased that the decision took note of the company's exploitation of US taxpayers to underwrite its despicable abuses," MTD President John Meese said.

The unfair labor practice charges stem from an organizing campaign by 11 unions which began in 1993. Management refused to recognize the unions. In 1999, Litton Industries bought Avondale and agreed to bargain a first contract.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly


 

REMINDER: STCW-95 WORKING GROUP TO MEET AT MITAGS

The STCW-95 Problem Solving Working Group Meeting will be held at MITAGS, August 2-3. The purpose of the meeting is to identify and resolve issues related to the implementation of the STCW-95 Code.

To better identify the issues that are of most concern to the attendees, please send your STCW-95 related issues to MITAGS via Email, fax, or mail by July 23. MITAGS will collate the comments for the conference. If time permits, the information will be forwarded to the USCG before the meeting. Comments are welcome regardless of whether you plan to attend the meeting.

Please send the comments to the attention of Ms. Andrea Dixon at adixon@mitags.org; fax: 410-859-5181, or mailed to MITAGS, 5700 Hammonds Ferry Road, Linthicum Heights, MD, 21090. Ms. Dixon may also be reached via phone at 410-859-5700, ext. 3235.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly


 

MITAGS ACADEMIC NOTES

Openings in classes through the end of this year
STCW-95 Certificates

Various interpretations at RECs in regard to the STCW-95 certificate requirements are not uncommon. Recently, MED-PIC and Lifeboatman have created problems for our mariners. MED-PIC is not required for the STCW-95 certificate and deck officers should not have a problem because of Lifeboatman. If you do encounter what you believe is an incorrect interpretation, let us know at MITAGS. Notify Mike Wein at 443-989-3238 or Email: mwein@mitags.org.

Admissions During the Month of July

Although the class schedule drops off significantly in July to accommodate staff vacations and in-house training requirements, there should be no impact on the admissions process. When Mary Matlock, our admissions coordinator, is out of the office, her Email and voice mail will be checked routinely. Diane Ford, our registrar, will be handling the admissions duties on those days when Mary is not in the office. Diane's number is 443-989-3222 and her Email is dford@mitags.org.

Schedule through Dec. 2001 is being maintained on the website. Hard copy schedule updates are also provided to the halls. Check the MITAGS website at: www.mitags.org for up-to-date info. For additional course info, contact Mary Matlock at voice: 443-989-3226 or Email: admissions@mitags.org.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARITIME INSTITUTE (PMI) COURSE OPENINGS

Openings in classes through the end of this year


For more info on courses or PMI, visit their website at www.stcw95.com.  
 

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly


 
 

MM&P MARKET WATCH AS OF 7-19 CLOSE

 D O W

 N A S D A Q

 10,610.00

+131.01 for the week 

 2,046.59

 -29.15 for the week 

 Vanguard 500 Index Fund

 112.24

+0.65 for the week
 Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund 

23.57

-0.17 for the week
 Vanguard International Growth Fund

 15.67

-0.09  for the week
 Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund

 15.31

-0.17 for the week
 Vanguard Windsor II Fund

 27.39

+0.19 for the week
 Vanguard GNMA Fund

10.39

+0.04 for the week
 Chase Growth Fund (CHASX)

15.86

+0.24 for the week
 Fidelity Asset Manager (FASMX)

16.08

+0.11 for the week
 Fidelity Growth and Income (FGRIX)

 39.26

+0.32 for the week
Fidelity Magellan Fund (FAGX)

 109.10

+0.80 for the week
 Spartan US Equity Index Fund (FUSEX)

  43.07

 +0.25 for the week

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

The MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly is the official electronic newsletter of the International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots, ILA, AFL-CIO, 700 Maritime Blvd., Linthicum Heights, MD 21090-1941. Phone: 410-850-8700; Fax: 410-850-0973; Email: iommp@bridgedeck.org. For further info contact John Peige at jpeige@bridgedeck.org. The Wheelhouse Weekly is sent via Email to MM&P-contracted vessels at sea, broadcast worldwide via FEC marine telex and is posted on our web page under "News" at: http://www.bridgedeck.org.

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