Posted:
August 6, 2015
By Paul Doell
National President
While the ongoing financial fix applied by this administration to American Maritime Officers draws the most attention among seagoing members, an abstract but no less important parallel reform is also worth noting - the positive transformation of our union's image, inside and out. Talks I have had with active AMO members since January 1 indicate a growing, union-wide comfort with the new direction set for AMO, and the industry, labor and government interests we deal with see and sense distinct improvement in the AMO atmosphere.
Deep-sea, Great Lakes and inland waters AMO members tell me in increasing number that they were encouraged by early reconciliation between members of the AMO National Executive Board and me, by the apparent ease with which we were able to overcome internal political differences in the lasting interest of job and benefit security for all AMO members and their families, and by the civil way in which differences of administrative and policy opinion are addressed these days.
Arriving at this point required many hours of quiet, mannered discussion that covered several lingering issues and new developments. This bilateral diplomacy led to consensus, and we substituted reason for the initial, inevitable emotions driven by the unanticipated outcome of the 2014 AMO election.
The first result was this administration's firm adherence to a common sense economic canon: live within your means. AMO members appreciated the substantive initiatives intended to contain costs, salvage the AMO treasury and stabilize the AMO investment accounts while rescinding a membership dues increase that was a pointed consequence of earlier extravagance and waste. These efforts included steep salary cuts for me and for other elected AMO officials.
AMO members also comment favorably on small, subtle and symbolic yet significant differences in leadership style since January 1.
For example, AMO membership meetings are more open than ever. One simple effort at making these important sessions more conducive to two-way conversation was the first-ever placement of a floor microphone for optional use by AMO members with questions, comments and valid, relevant points to make during unrestrained discussion on specific issues. Having spent much time in the back of the room during these meetings, I know how difficult it was to be heard from anywhere but the head table, where microphones had always been available to AMO officials and representatives.
Another example is access without appointment to the national president's office - AMO members are no longer barred from the 3rd deck of their headquarters building.
Outside the realm, employers, potential employers, competing unions and key figures in federal agencies with influence over U.S. seafaring jobs know that the offensive tone they had become familiar with in AMO no longer colors the conversation. These interests now have renewed faith in AMO as a responsible, practical union committed to its mission yet open to compromise and the resolution of professional differences in mature, honorable ways.
As good faith and good will advance as AMO administrative standards, and as old loyalties fade, we have to get on with the work we do on behalf of all AMO members.
As the duly elected national president of American Maritime Officers, I can propose a policy agenda that strikes fair, appropriate balance between the legitimate needs of all AMO members in all domestic and international trades and the obligation to help keep employers in business in an increasingly difficult operating environment marked in part by the standing of the privately owned and operated U.S. merchant fleet in commercial foreign trade at only 81 ships.
One personal policy priority is to restore democratic representation of AMO Great Lakes engineers, mates and stewards on the AMO National Executive Board. This is a moral imperative, and it has no impact at all on the competitive postures of Great Lakes shipping companies or on the way our union does business on the "Fourth Seacoast." This seemingly easy initiative would right a wrong inflicted upon the dues-paying AMO Great Lakes membership in 2011.
I want to pursue this and other measures in continued cooperation and consultation with the AMO National Executive Board. But I also want to develop policy in partnership with seagoing AMO members everywhere. As the men and women who make our union tick so effectively and so efficiently every day, the AMO membership has the strongest, most influential collective voice in these matters.
In this spirit, and in the name of honest dialogue, I encourage AMO members to make recommendations, to speak up and speak out - no topic is off limits, and no opinion will be ignored in this office.
AMO members can reach me anytime on the headquarters office line at 954-921-2221 (extension 1001), on the toll-free line at 800-362-0513 on my cell at 954-881-5651 or .
Improved atmosphere enhances AMO's image, credibility
By Paul Doell
National President
While the ongoing financial fix applied by this administration to American Maritime Officers draws the most attention among seagoing members, an abstract but no less important parallel reform is also worth noting - the positive transformation of our union's image, inside and out. Talks I have had with active AMO members since January 1 indicate a growing, union-wide comfort with the new direction set for AMO, and the industry, labor and government interests we deal with see and sense distinct improvement in the AMO atmosphere.
Deep-sea, Great Lakes and inland waters AMO members tell me in increasing number that they were encouraged by early reconciliation between members of the AMO National Executive Board and me, by the apparent ease with which we were able to overcome internal political differences in the lasting interest of job and benefit security for all AMO members and their families, and by the civil way in which differences of administrative and policy opinion are addressed these days.
Arriving at this point required many hours of quiet, mannered discussion that covered several lingering issues and new developments. This bilateral diplomacy led to consensus, and we substituted reason for the initial, inevitable emotions driven by the unanticipated outcome of the 2014 AMO election.
The first result was this administration's firm adherence to a common sense economic canon: live within your means. AMO members appreciated the substantive initiatives intended to contain costs, salvage the AMO treasury and stabilize the AMO investment accounts while rescinding a membership dues increase that was a pointed consequence of earlier extravagance and waste. These efforts included steep salary cuts for me and for other elected AMO officials.
AMO members also comment favorably on small, subtle and symbolic yet significant differences in leadership style since January 1.
For example, AMO membership meetings are more open than ever. One simple effort at making these important sessions more conducive to two-way conversation was the first-ever placement of a floor microphone for optional use by AMO members with questions, comments and valid, relevant points to make during unrestrained discussion on specific issues. Having spent much time in the back of the room during these meetings, I know how difficult it was to be heard from anywhere but the head table, where microphones had always been available to AMO officials and representatives.
Another example is access without appointment to the national president's office - AMO members are no longer barred from the 3rd deck of their headquarters building.
Outside the realm, employers, potential employers, competing unions and key figures in federal agencies with influence over U.S. seafaring jobs know that the offensive tone they had become familiar with in AMO no longer colors the conversation. These interests now have renewed faith in AMO as a responsible, practical union committed to its mission yet open to compromise and the resolution of professional differences in mature, honorable ways.
As good faith and good will advance as AMO administrative standards, and as old loyalties fade, we have to get on with the work we do on behalf of all AMO members.
As the duly elected national president of American Maritime Officers, I can propose a policy agenda that strikes fair, appropriate balance between the legitimate needs of all AMO members in all domestic and international trades and the obligation to help keep employers in business in an increasingly difficult operating environment marked in part by the standing of the privately owned and operated U.S. merchant fleet in commercial foreign trade at only 81 ships.
One personal policy priority is to restore democratic representation of AMO Great Lakes engineers, mates and stewards on the AMO National Executive Board. This is a moral imperative, and it has no impact at all on the competitive postures of Great Lakes shipping companies or on the way our union does business on the "Fourth Seacoast." This seemingly easy initiative would right a wrong inflicted upon the dues-paying AMO Great Lakes membership in 2011.
I want to pursue this and other measures in continued cooperation and consultation with the AMO National Executive Board. But I also want to develop policy in partnership with seagoing AMO members everywhere. As the men and women who make our union tick so effectively and so efficiently every day, the AMO membership has the strongest, most influential collective voice in these matters.
In this spirit, and in the name of honest dialogue, I encourage AMO members to make recommendations, to speak up and speak out - no topic is off limits, and no opinion will be ignored in this office.
AMO members can reach me anytime on the headquarters office line at 954-921-2221 (extension 1001), on the toll-free line at 800-362-0513 on my cell at 954-881-5651 or .