Posted:
March 11, 2013
The dynamic positioning training program available cost-free to members of American Maritime Officers at STAR Center continues to provide outstanding job opportunities for the union's membership.
In the first quarter of 2012, the trustees of the AMO Safety and Education Plan invested more than $1 million in developing and implementing a complete and comprehensive DP training program at STAR Center. Since that time, the value of this investment has been reflected in the selection of two AMO-contracted companies for Military Sealift Command contract awards involving a total of four DP-equipped vessels. Had this investment not been made, these jobs might not be with AMO today.
Due to the competitive environment for DP trained and qualified individuals, and the poaching of qualified individuals by non-AMO companies, the AMO Safety and Education Plan has implemented a DP Agreement of Reimbursement that requires members to fulfill a specific amount of sea time in AMO-contracted employment in order to protect AMO jobs and the investment of the AMO Safety and Education Plan. The document is available for review by active AMO members and applicants on the AMO website. The purpose, intent and spirit of the agreement are outlined below.
The agreement is required by law under the rules of the AMO Safety and Education Plan (S&E Plan), a federally regulated trust fund. Its purpose is to protect the S&E Plan and the members' training benefits, which are derived from this fund. By law, the Plan is forbidden to pay for any training that does not directly support AMO-contracted companies. The DP Agreement of Reimbursement is intended to prevent anyone from obtaining DP training funded by the S&E Plan for use or employment outside of AMO. This is a very real threat given the current shortage of DP qualified, STCW endorsed operators.
Some individuals have raised concerns regarding the spirit of the Agreement of Reimbursement (AOR) and specific obligations should a member retire during the term of the agreement, or if a member is hurt or otherwise unable to return to sea due to a change in their conditions at home. The agreement specifically covers these instances. Paragraph 4 has been updated and the new provision - which applies to all signed DP AORs - reads: "... if I retire during the period of obligation, no action will be taken by the Plans to enforce reimbursement providing I do not sail for a non-AMO contracted company or use this training for non-AMO covered employment." Regarding concerns about not being able to meet the AOR's obligations due to some unforeseen circumstance, like illness or a change in home environment, paragraph 4 in the agreement states: "... my availability for assignment ... will be taken into consideration when my reimbursement obligations are determined." This would cover such circumstances and allows the Board of Trustees to waive these obligations as the situation warrants. STAR Center and AMO Plans enter into this agreement in good faith, with no hidden agenda, to protect AMO's manpower pool and preserve the AMO S&E Plan Trust and its investments on behalf of all AMO members.
As new jobs are made available to the AMO membership as a result of the S&E Plan's investment in the DP training program, individuals who are to be employed in these new billets will be drawn from the pool of AMO members who have completed DP training at STAR Center.
In addition to this STAR Center bulletin, American Maritime Officers advises AMO members that training sources are reviewed during the job dispatching process. AMO members who, from this point forward, choose to acquire DP training at an institution other than STAR Center will not be dispatched to new jobs requiring DP training and certification until after AMO members who completed their DP training at STAR Center have been dispatched.
Notice to AMO members regarding Agreement of Reimbursement for STAR Center DP training program
The dynamic positioning training program available cost-free to members of American Maritime Officers at STAR Center continues to provide outstanding job opportunities for the union's membership.
In the first quarter of 2012, the trustees of the AMO Safety and Education Plan invested more than $1 million in developing and implementing a complete and comprehensive DP training program at STAR Center. Since that time, the value of this investment has been reflected in the selection of two AMO-contracted companies for Military Sealift Command contract awards involving a total of four DP-equipped vessels. Had this investment not been made, these jobs might not be with AMO today.
Due to the competitive environment for DP trained and qualified individuals, and the poaching of qualified individuals by non-AMO companies, the AMO Safety and Education Plan has implemented a DP Agreement of Reimbursement that requires members to fulfill a specific amount of sea time in AMO-contracted employment in order to protect AMO jobs and the investment of the AMO Safety and Education Plan. The document is available for review by active AMO members and applicants on the AMO website. The purpose, intent and spirit of the agreement are outlined below.
The agreement is required by law under the rules of the AMO Safety and Education Plan (S&E Plan), a federally regulated trust fund. Its purpose is to protect the S&E Plan and the members' training benefits, which are derived from this fund. By law, the Plan is forbidden to pay for any training that does not directly support AMO-contracted companies. The DP Agreement of Reimbursement is intended to prevent anyone from obtaining DP training funded by the S&E Plan for use or employment outside of AMO. This is a very real threat given the current shortage of DP qualified, STCW endorsed operators.
Some individuals have raised concerns regarding the spirit of the Agreement of Reimbursement (AOR) and specific obligations should a member retire during the term of the agreement, or if a member is hurt or otherwise unable to return to sea due to a change in their conditions at home. The agreement specifically covers these instances. Paragraph 4 has been updated and the new provision - which applies to all signed DP AORs - reads: "... if I retire during the period of obligation, no action will be taken by the Plans to enforce reimbursement providing I do not sail for a non-AMO contracted company or use this training for non-AMO covered employment." Regarding concerns about not being able to meet the AOR's obligations due to some unforeseen circumstance, like illness or a change in home environment, paragraph 4 in the agreement states: "... my availability for assignment ... will be taken into consideration when my reimbursement obligations are determined." This would cover such circumstances and allows the Board of Trustees to waive these obligations as the situation warrants. STAR Center and AMO Plans enter into this agreement in good faith, with no hidden agenda, to protect AMO's manpower pool and preserve the AMO S&E Plan Trust and its investments on behalf of all AMO members.
As new jobs are made available to the AMO membership as a result of the S&E Plan's investment in the DP training program, individuals who are to be employed in these new billets will be drawn from the pool of AMO members who have completed DP training at STAR Center.
In addition to this STAR Center bulletin, American Maritime Officers advises AMO members that training sources are reviewed during the job dispatching process. AMO members who, from this point forward, choose to acquire DP training at an institution other than STAR Center will not be dispatched to new jobs requiring DP training and certification until after AMO members who completed their DP training at STAR Center have been dispatched.