Posted:
June 11, 2014
By Tom Bethel
National President
They say adversity can bring out the best or the worst in a person. But I have found and the industry has seen time and again that adversity is not required to summon the professionalism and best performance of the membership of American Maritime Officers. In difficult situations and during routine operations - through good times and bad - the can-do, will-do attitude of AMO members, and the aptitude that accompanies this attitude, set an unrivaled standard in the U.S.-flag merchant and military sealift fleets.
The dedication and skill of AMO officers shine especially bright under circumstances when their on-the-job performance is contrasted with that of their contemporaries from other officers' unions.
In recent years, U.S.-flag operating companies have had the opportunity to compare the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of vessels in their fleets manned in all licensed positions by members of AMO with vessels manned in licensed positions by other officers' unions.
Even with the same or very similar total labor costs for the officers onboard, these companies have discovered that vessels operating under contract with AMO do so at a significant cost savings.
Among the reasons for this are the underway maintenance and repairs routinely performed by AMO officers as required by the vessel and the trade or mission. The ability and interest of AMO engineers in this capacity contribute significantly to efficient operations and reduce the need for costly shoreside maintenance.
Also instrumental in keeping costs in check is the remarkable record of safety sustained onboard AMO-manned vessels. The culture of teamwork in AMO deck and engineering departments and the dedication to the safe and successful completion of the job at hand result in fewer lost-time incidents and shipboard injuries, and fewer protection and indemnity insurance claims for vessel operators.
Due to these qualities and many others, AMO members comprise the largest and strongest union of U.S. merchant marine officers, and the only union of its kind with a promising future and a very substantial amount of new commercial work in the pipeline.
The professionalism of the membership is the strength of AMO. Because of it, ours remains the officers' union of choice for established operating companies and new employers alike. The on-the-job attitude and aptitude of AMO members sailing in all trades - deep sea, Great Lakes and inland waters - are the primary reasons for this reality. It is an honor and a privilege for every member of the AMO National Executive Board to represent a membership of professionals of such extraordinary caliber.
As always, I welcome your comments and questions. Please feel free to call me on my cell phone at (202) 251-0349.
The professionalism of the membership is the strength of our union
By Tom Bethel
National President
They say adversity can bring out the best or the worst in a person. But I have found and the industry has seen time and again that adversity is not required to summon the professionalism and best performance of the membership of American Maritime Officers. In difficult situations and during routine operations - through good times and bad - the can-do, will-do attitude of AMO members, and the aptitude that accompanies this attitude, set an unrivaled standard in the U.S.-flag merchant and military sealift fleets.
The dedication and skill of AMO officers shine especially bright under circumstances when their on-the-job performance is contrasted with that of their contemporaries from other officers' unions.
In recent years, U.S.-flag operating companies have had the opportunity to compare the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of vessels in their fleets manned in all licensed positions by members of AMO with vessels manned in licensed positions by other officers' unions.
Even with the same or very similar total labor costs for the officers onboard, these companies have discovered that vessels operating under contract with AMO do so at a significant cost savings.
Among the reasons for this are the underway maintenance and repairs routinely performed by AMO officers as required by the vessel and the trade or mission. The ability and interest of AMO engineers in this capacity contribute significantly to efficient operations and reduce the need for costly shoreside maintenance.
Also instrumental in keeping costs in check is the remarkable record of safety sustained onboard AMO-manned vessels. The culture of teamwork in AMO deck and engineering departments and the dedication to the safe and successful completion of the job at hand result in fewer lost-time incidents and shipboard injuries, and fewer protection and indemnity insurance claims for vessel operators.
Due to these qualities and many others, AMO members comprise the largest and strongest union of U.S. merchant marine officers, and the only union of its kind with a promising future and a very substantial amount of new commercial work in the pipeline.
The professionalism of the membership is the strength of AMO. Because of it, ours remains the officers' union of choice for established operating companies and new employers alike. The on-the-job attitude and aptitude of AMO members sailing in all trades - deep sea, Great Lakes and inland waters - are the primary reasons for this reality. It is an honor and a privilege for every member of the AMO National Executive Board to represent a membership of professionals of such extraordinary caliber.
As always, I welcome your comments and questions. Please feel free to call me on my cell phone at (202) 251-0349.