Members ratify new AMO-ASC collective bargaining agreement

The new five-year collective bargaining agreement between American Maritime Officers and American Steamship Co. has been ratified by a membership vote in excess of 93 percent of the engineers and mates in ASC's fleet of six 1,000-foot Great Lakes bulk carriers.

This agreement, effective February 8, provides for annual wage increases approaching 17 percent, sustained employer contributions to AMO Plans - the benefit funds that serve all deep-sea, Great Lakes and inland waters AMO members and their families - and strong job security language in a side letter on vessel sales and transfer language referred to in the agreement.

A second side letter provides for discussion of "matters of mutual interest pertaining to the Great Lakes bulk freight industry and the company's future business plans" in no less than 60 days from the effective date of the CBA.

Despite this time frame, Rand Logistics Chief Executive Officer Dave Foster and I agreed to meet earlier to address such matters as fleet improvements, market conditions, projected supply and demand for iron ore hauled on the Lakes by the American Steamship Co. "thousand footers" and developments influencing the entire Great Lakes shipping industry.

Foster and I met February 25 in an encouraging three-hour session that included much focus on the 2021 agreement under which American Steamship Co. bareboat chartered five of its smaller vessels to Grand River Navigation Co., which has a collective bargaining agreement with the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots. This agreement cost AMO 40 engineer and mate jobs and resulted in unstable and potentially dangerous operation of the five ASC Class II and Class III vessels under Grand River Navigation Co. management.

Rand Logistics owns both American Steamship Co. and Grand River Navigation Co.

Foster and I will meet again at a mutually convenient time to attempt to settle the bareboat charter controversy honorably and with the ultimate intent of improving the business relationship between our union and longtime AMO employer American Steamship Co., which was acquired by Rand Logistics in May 2020.

Meanwhile, I offer thanks to AMO Executive Vice President Willie Barrere, AMO Great Lakes Vice President John Clemons, AMO Inland Waters Vice President Danny Robichaux and the AMO membership committee for their participation in difficult negotiations in Cleveland and Detroit - Engineers James Beland and John Crocker and Mates Ryan Miller and Morgan Miller, and Mates Reed Wilson and Alex Damer, who filled in for the Millers during the last round of negotiations.

Paul Doell
President
American Maritime Officers