Posted:
February 12, 2015
By Paul Doell
National President
Many hours of quiet, honest and productive diplomacy within the American Maritime Officers National Executive Board in January led to lasting accord on major immediate policy matters and on our union's long-term course. By the call to order of the regularly scheduled AMO membership meeting at headquarters on February 2, we were able to confirm that newly elected and longtime AMO officials are unified by mutual commitment to the professional interests of all deep-sea, Great Lakes and inland waters AMO members.
In one especially significant development, the executive board was unanimous in scrapping the AMO membership dues increase that went into effect - briefly - on January 1, 2015. The dues rates in place on December 31, 2014 now apply in every sector through the end of this year.
To offset the loss of revenue the canceled dues increase would have generated, the board moved unanimously to adjust official compensation at senior levels to contain cost - including a cap on the national president's salary at a level equal to the earnings of the highest-paid seagoing AMO member.
This altered salary schedule for AMO officials will add considerably this year to a substantial six-figure saving in salaries, benefits and expenses already identified through payroll attrition - jobs left vacant by retirements and resignations in 2014.
In addition, executive board members were developing other cost containment recommendations for ongoing discussion and debate. The common intent is to achieve greater operating efficiency without sacrificing service to the seagoing AMO membership.
As the new national president of AMO, I am grateful to each board member and to senior AMO employees and support staff for promoting consensus, conciliation and continuity as our union's governing values.
The day-to-day issues ...
The National Executive Board of AMO remains focused day-in and day-out on the developments and issues that affect the job and benefit security of all seagoing AMO members: the extraordinary expansion of the Jones Act tanker, articulated tug-barge and dry cargo fleets under AMO contract, beginning later this year; collective bargaining; Military Sealift Command "Requests for Proposals" and contracting practices; manpower and training; legislation and domestic and international regulation. We will report on these and more in this publication, in the online AMO Currents, and in vessel visits by AMO officials and representatives.
Membership participation
The emails, phone calls and letters I receive each day from AMO members seeking to become active on the policy front encourage me. One member asked how to suggest an amendment to the AMO National Constitution, and I requested that he send his proposed revision to me by email or by USPS for consideration by the board; others have suggested practical cost control measures that will be considered fully as part of the board's deliberations; one AMO member raised thoughtful questions about electronic voting and other election reforms. Such active dialog is critical to democratic principle in our union, and I welcome questions, comments and - yes - criticisms from all AMO members, each of whom has a considerable stake in our future.
Feel free to call me directly at 954-921-2221 or on my cell at 954-881-5651.
Diplomacy leads to lasting policy accord in AMO
By Paul Doell
National President
Many hours of quiet, honest and productive diplomacy within the American Maritime Officers National Executive Board in January led to lasting accord on major immediate policy matters and on our union's long-term course. By the call to order of the regularly scheduled AMO membership meeting at headquarters on February 2, we were able to confirm that newly elected and longtime AMO officials are unified by mutual commitment to the professional interests of all deep-sea, Great Lakes and inland waters AMO members.
In one especially significant development, the executive board was unanimous in scrapping the AMO membership dues increase that went into effect - briefly - on January 1, 2015. The dues rates in place on December 31, 2014 now apply in every sector through the end of this year.
To offset the loss of revenue the canceled dues increase would have generated, the board moved unanimously to adjust official compensation at senior levels to contain cost - including a cap on the national president's salary at a level equal to the earnings of the highest-paid seagoing AMO member.
This altered salary schedule for AMO officials will add considerably this year to a substantial six-figure saving in salaries, benefits and expenses already identified through payroll attrition - jobs left vacant by retirements and resignations in 2014.
In addition, executive board members were developing other cost containment recommendations for ongoing discussion and debate. The common intent is to achieve greater operating efficiency without sacrificing service to the seagoing AMO membership.
As the new national president of AMO, I am grateful to each board member and to senior AMO employees and support staff for promoting consensus, conciliation and continuity as our union's governing values.
The day-to-day issues ...
The National Executive Board of AMO remains focused day-in and day-out on the developments and issues that affect the job and benefit security of all seagoing AMO members: the extraordinary expansion of the Jones Act tanker, articulated tug-barge and dry cargo fleets under AMO contract, beginning later this year; collective bargaining; Military Sealift Command "Requests for Proposals" and contracting practices; manpower and training; legislation and domestic and international regulation. We will report on these and more in this publication, in the online AMO Currents, and in vessel visits by AMO officials and representatives.
Membership participation
The emails, phone calls and letters I receive each day from AMO members seeking to become active on the policy front encourage me. One member asked how to suggest an amendment to the AMO National Constitution, and I requested that he send his proposed revision to me by email or by USPS for consideration by the board; others have suggested practical cost control measures that will be considered fully as part of the board's deliberations; one AMO member raised thoughtful questions about electronic voting and other election reforms. Such active dialog is critical to democratic principle in our union, and I welcome questions, comments and - yes - criticisms from all AMO members, each of whom has a considerable stake in our future.
Feel free to call me directly at 954-921-2221 or on my cell at 954-881-5651.