Maritime Union Leaders Finally Break Long, Deafening Silence on Shipboard Abuse—>Pen Letter to Congress Opposing Industry Efforts to Gut Safer Seas Act Protections for Mariners
March 18, 2024
The Honorable Sam Graves
The Honorable Rick Larsen
The Honorable Daniel Webster
The Honorable Salud Carbajal
Dear Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, Chairman Webster and Ranking Member Carbajal:
As the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee considers the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2024, it is our understanding that you and your colleagues are being asked to include provisions that would significantly weaken protections afforded to merchant mariners under the Safe Seas Act. Specifically, we understand that certain amendments would eliminate the current reporting and investigation requirements that arise when a mariner is subject to non-sexual harassment, thereby vesting sole responsibility to respond to such incidents within the shipping company itself. In addition, we are deeply concerned about preemptive changes affecting the retention of video and audio recorded aboard U.S. flag vessels intended to protect victims in the workplace.
On behalf of the licensed and unlicensed American merchant mariners we represent, we strongly oppose these efforts and any such amendments that would reduce the protections and recourse available to mariners. As the U.S. Coast Guard moves forward with implementing the Safer Seas Act, any statutory changes to existing reforms must not be made prematurely and done so in close consultation with maritime labor. Our unions remain deeply committed to improving the culture and safety within our industry. Marine employers must share that commitment, which should extend to shoreside training in certified SASH prevention programs with live instructors rather than perfunctory computer-based training that is quickly reduced to checking off boxes.
Ultimately, every mariner must benefit from a workplace environment that is free from all forms of abuse and harassment, sexual and otherwise. To do otherwise, simply because it may be more convenient for a vessel owner and operator, represents a step backward, a step our organizations strongly urge Congress not to take.
Thank you for your careful consideration of this important matter as we collectively move forward to improve the culture and safety within the maritime industry.
Sincerely,
Willie Barrere, President, American Maritime Officers
Mark Clements, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO
Dave Connolly, President, Sailors’ Union of the Pacific
David Heindel, President, Seafarers International Union
Don Marcus, President, International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots
Anthony Poplawski, President, Marine Firemen’s Union
Greg Regan, President, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO
Adam Vokac, President, Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association