No one is saying that you should rely on the “leadership” at APL to tell you what the contract means. Seriously!?
You should ask your union for permission to read the APL contract language including all the MOUs etc.
The AFL-CIO issue is between AMO/SIU and MMP. MEBA is not involved in terms of bringing a case against AMO/SIU nor defending anything with MMP.
There is always a possibility that MMP would win the ruling. But it’s a long shot. Doesn’t hurt to take it though.