Posted:
June 1, 2010
A recent meeting in Washington could lead to settlement of the remaining issue in a seven-year dispute between American Maritime Officers and the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association.
Seafarers International Union of North America President Michael Sacco hosted the conference, which addressed punitive sanctions imposed on MEBA by the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations in connection with a labor contract MEBA signed with Interlake Steamship Co. in July 2003.
At the time, AMO had a valid collective bargaining agreement with Interlake, which operates seven self-unloading dry bulk carriers and one integrated tug-barge in Great Lakes trades. The AFL-CIO later determined twice that MEBA had signed the contract in violation of the AFL-CIO Constitution's Article XX, which bars one federation affiliate from encroaching upon the established jurisdiction of another.
AMO National President Tom Bethel, MEBA President Don Keefe and MEBA Secretary-Treasurer Bill Van Loo participated with Sacco in the discussion.
"We were unable to resolve the Article XX matter, which arose from the persistent but often pointless antagonisms between previous administrations of AMO and MEBA," Bethel said. "But the talks were civil and even cordial at times, and we agreed to meet again. The door to a fair settlement is open, and I thank Mike Sacco for his initiative.
"I am confident that AMO and MEBA will come to terms, put this difficult situation behind us and move on," Bethel continued. "But my priority is to protect the legitimate interests of American Maritime Officers."
Meeting opens door to AMO-MEBA settlement of Article XX issue
A recent meeting in Washington could lead to settlement of the remaining issue in a seven-year dispute between American Maritime Officers and the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association.
Seafarers International Union of North America President Michael Sacco hosted the conference, which addressed punitive sanctions imposed on MEBA by the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations in connection with a labor contract MEBA signed with Interlake Steamship Co. in July 2003.
At the time, AMO had a valid collective bargaining agreement with Interlake, which operates seven self-unloading dry bulk carriers and one integrated tug-barge in Great Lakes trades. The AFL-CIO later determined twice that MEBA had signed the contract in violation of the AFL-CIO Constitution's Article XX, which bars one federation affiliate from encroaching upon the established jurisdiction of another.
AMO National President Tom Bethel, MEBA President Don Keefe and MEBA Secretary-Treasurer Bill Van Loo participated with Sacco in the discussion.
"We were unable to resolve the Article XX matter, which arose from the persistent but often pointless antagonisms between previous administrations of AMO and MEBA," Bethel said. "But the talks were civil and even cordial at times, and we agreed to meet again. The door to a fair settlement is open, and I thank Mike Sacco for his initiative.
"I am confident that AMO and MEBA will come to terms, put this difficult situation behind us and move on," Bethel continued. "But my priority is to protect the legitimate interests of American Maritime Officers."