I too have sailed with Jack Hearn. I sailed with him on the SS El Faro. People who know me should easily figure out who I am by this posting. In the last election, I wouldn’t vote for Jack even though it would have given me a promotion. If it was for Jack, I would be retired by now. Jack ended up taking away my high years for pension because of his actions within the company.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
Jack is not the worst captain I have sailed with. Nor is he the best. He is perfectly adequate. He is somewhere in the middle. Jack thinks he is the best. I believe this stems from him having the highest paying sailing job for a long time. He fails to see the reason he had the job was that his family was friends with the owner of the parent company. Jack tends to surround himself with people like him who are adequate. He blows smoke up their butt and likes the same in return. Jack tends to like the decisions to be made for him but still thinks he made the decision. Jack is also always looking out for Jack. I don’t really have a problem with that except he does it in way that would lead some naive people to believe that he was helping them out.
<O:p</O:p<O:p</O:p
Some people think they should vote for Jack just because it will keep the leadership from being entrenched in the union. I agree that it would be easier but I cannot bring myself to do this because of the damage that Jack would do without even realizing it. Jack has much more faith in his ability than I do. I would say he borders on delusional in that respect.<O:p</O:p
Your clue did not help me to figure out who you are, but I don’t think it matters, anyway. I thoroughly respect your opinion, and I agree with you that wearing that fourth stripe for so long has a tendency to make one delusional in terms of their abilities.
BUT - As many have said before, including me - you can’t kill a snake without cutting off its head. There are only two choices in this election; go with the status quo, and then (most likely) never realize ANY decent future for you and your family, or VOTE ALL OF THEM OUT, and start over. The problem goes waaaaaaay deeper than who is at the helm; there are way too many comfortable trustees and employer reps that smoke their fat cigars while laughing at how they screw us again and again… they need to go.
By cleaning house, AT LEAST we have a chance to build the union in to what it should have become long ago; an organization that FIGHTS for its membership, instead of padding their own nest eggs at our expense. Status quo allows the companies to continue to force substandard contracts down our throats - and if some of those who “post” are correct - eventually see our pensions go the way of the SIU retiree’s. The typical SIU retiree seems to get his first retirement check (of which the amounts are WORSE than PITIFUL), his name is in the Log, and the following month we see his name listed in Final Departure!!
It is time to sink or swim; get fresh blood and go from there. We CAN’T do any worse than we are now!!! A Pension Plan DESTROYED - AND THE ADVISORS STILL WORKING FOR US!!
Finally, someone besides “Hearnia” posting on here who isn’t voting for Jack. He even has actual reasons why. I respect that… Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m voting AMC for the reasons Turk just listed. It may very well be that Jack may inadvertently cause some damage (I surely hope not)…but we already know the damage Tommy and his gang (really the remains of the McKay gang featuring Sacco) have already caused. Also, as Turk alluded to, I’m not so convinced that voting out the current administration would solve our problems by itself–I believe the REAL power in this union is somewhere else and the elected leadership are puppets. But I sincerely hope I’m proven wrong…
[QUOTE=awulfclark;43746]I believe the REAL power in this union is somewhere else and the elected leadership are puppets. But I sincerely hope I’m proven wrong…[/QUOTE]
What can Sacco do to Jack Hearn? What does Hearn have to be able to tell Sacco to go and F himself?
If Michael Sacco isn’t the puppet master, then who is?
These are important questions that should be explored
You mention having lost your high three years to Jack. Letting guys with buyouts continue to hold the top slots is a major bone to many of the rank and file. This issue has been addressed in the forum with recommendations that buyout guys can continue to work but via rotary shipping. At one of the regional meetings a member questioned Bethel on the issue and was told by Bethel "We need them" which ended the conversation. The bluntness of his reply and simply looking at how the union has operated with buyout guys holding down the top slots for years shows us not to expect anything different if the current administration gets re-elected. I don't know if Jack and his gang will change up anything but they have posted that shipping rules would be reviewed.
I’m willing to take that risk in the hopes that we actually do get something more equitable for all involved Vs the current pandering to the minority that this administration is so good at!
As far as the other candidates I have l very little to go on as I have not sailed with them. I have many reasons why I wouldn’t vote for Jack. I feel Jack is lacking in many of the qualities that would make a good president. First, his doesn’t have any real ideas. He speaks in general about how he would change things but he has no specifics. I realized this in numerous discussions with him on the ship before the last election. He also claimed to have a bunch of dirt on Bethel but never produced it. Second, I don’t think he has the brains for it. He is moderately bright but his level of intelligence wasn’t impressive to me. Some would counter that by saying Mike McKay wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Granted, but I still think it helps. Third, his leadership style is management by committee and asking outsiders for help. It may stem from the intelligence thing or the years working for Tote on basically a ferry run. I remember specific incidents that he had to call the office to ask about things that had no need of contacting the office on. Even common sense things like how high to stow containers where the information was easily accessible on board. Finally, there is another reason why I wouldn’t vote for Jack. I repeatedly gave him advice to get away from Tom Kelly. I told him that I thought Tom Kelly was a piece of you know what. Jack would say that he was just using any means he could to get his message out. Well, it turns out there was quite a bit more to it than that. There are many other reasons but basically it amounts to that I don’t think Jack has what it takes even for a short time.
I’m surprised at your latest post, and frankly it sounds like there is some jealousy or envy in the background. I have not been on the Alaska run, but I have been in enough lousy weather to have a GREAT deal of respect for “The TOTE Gods”, as we who are jealous of the consistently better wage scales enjoyed by TO TE
Bottom line is the same as it has been; the incumbents have already proven that thwy will
To all; sorry for the inadvertent post; must have pressed the wrong button, as I was not finished!
Anyway, I’ll be the first to admit I used to have a great deal of disdain for the TOTE sailors who enjoyed consistently higher wages scales than ‘mortal’ AMO brethren could expect. However, to say that the Alaska run is no more than a ferry run shows a great deal of disrespect for those who have had their BUTTS kicked on that run for years. No amount of higher wages could have convinced me to be on that run for more than a tour or two. Perhaps you are veteran of the North Atlantic runs on the CRAPPY contract car carriers, in which case you have my respect as well. Otherwise I question your motives, especially when you would go so far as to imply that we are better off with current leadership that has run our union right in to the ground, and laughed at us behind our backs.
I have no idea what “dirt” Jack said he would get on Bethel, but from my perspective I can easily see where, aside from Jack’s continued efforts, there would be NO transparency and we would have NO hope of taking back our union! At the same time, I admit that Jack may be the next Don Quixote - but at least he has the gohone’s to stand up and fight!
I know for a fact that one particular senior officer, after losing the chance at a buyout, was quoted in an email to Nickerson that as much as he wanted to reduce his sailing time each year, and the fact that without the buyout he was stuck working for another 10 years or so… yet he told Nickerson not to worry because as long as he has a good family, it does not matter to him the fact that he got SCREWED!!! With that kind of attitude by the membership, it is no wonder that so-called AMO leadership continues to wield the stick, simply because they know that deep down we are a bunch of sheep that they can continue to lead to slaughter without repercussions to themselves!
I’m surprised at your latest post, and frankly it sounds like there is some jealousy or envy in the background. I have not been on the Alaska run, but I have been in enough lousy weather to have a GREAT deal of respect for “The TOTE Gods”, as we who are jealous of the consistently better wage scales enjoyed by TO TE
Bottom line is the same as it has been; the incumbents have already proven that thwy will[/QUOTE]
I never sailed on the Alaska run with Jack. It was strictly after much to do that he transferred to SeaStar. I not jealous of Jack or do I envy him in any way. I was upset when my promotion got yanked from me at the last minute. It wasn’t all Jack’s fault but he did play a part in it. It was an easy fix for several problems. Jack was tired of Tote and Tote was tired of him. He still had his connection with the president of Saltchuk(Tote’s parent company) at the time to look after him and the job with Seastar(also a Saltchuk company) was an easy fix for everybody except me. Jack was completely delusional about how it came about. I put most of the blame on the company and moved past that and worked with Jack. I have no problem with Jack as a captain. He is decent, not bad and not great as captain. As the president of the union, I have a problem with that.
RMA, No clue who you are, but some things you posted are FOS and sounds like it comes from a disgruntled sailor. As I’ve posted sometime ago, I have no dog in this fight. Firstly, Capt Hearn is the only skipper that I would gladly sail to hell and back. Kinda did that in some Alaska storms. I’ve sailed with more than a few skippers, and a lot were ‘adequate’. I don’t suppose that Sea Star being an offspring of TOTE (who Jack has sailed for some time when I shipped last) would put Jack in a trusted position of responsibility. Don’t suppose that being 1st in his class helped him in gaining recognition when he first started shipping. I don’t suppose that answering the call for manning USNS ships for IOM would be a feather in the cap. Don’t suppose commanding the Northern Lights (wow, isn’t she the El Faro now?) during the Iraq war had anything to do with it. I guess a bunch of sailors that he went above and beyond the call for, on several different occasions and several ships, would praise him (like myself) are ‘naive’. Sorry that maybe you got bumped for being a skipper, but maybe there was another reason than the one that you are inferring. I’ve sailed with a couple of MM&P mates that had sailed as master for a number of years. Never saw them denigrating the skipper for it. And saying that Capt Jack borders on delusional? Man, that takes the cake. More than a few things online about Jack. Here’s one about the NL in Iraq: http://www.seafarers.org/log/2003/052003/fourthArm.xml I apologize for my fragmented sentences and the structure;but, I’m a blue collar kinda guy and not an officer. Good luck with your union guys.
For some reason, several of the above posts didn’t refresh before I wrote this, but it still stands. And yes, the TOTE runs were rough especially on the Greatland, Venture and NL. Saw a lot of thirds do one tour never to return.
[QUOTE=RespectMyAuthority;43785] I have no problem with Jack as a captain. He is decent, not bad and not great as captain. As the president of the union, I have a problem with that.[/QUOTE]
This comment is not about Jack, I wouldn’t know him if he walked through my door with a name tag but the quote above goes directly to the heart of this union leadership debacle that infects every one of the maritime officer unions. We elect leaders because they are or were good captains or chiefs, because they were fun to sail with or showed us a kindness at some time.
IBM doesn’t select its president because the guy was a great computer salesman at Best Buy or Radio Shack. Honda doesn’t select its president because the guy did a good job running a used car lot in Kobe.
When are we going to learn that all we have to offer boardroom sharks is baitfish … and for the most part they are red herrings who are so far out of their league that it costs us our pensions and threatens our livelihood altogether.
[RespectMyAuthority I never sailed on the Alaska run with Jack. It was strictly after much to do that he transferred to SeaStar. I not jealous of Jack or do I envy him in any way. I was upset when my promotion got yanked from me at the last minute. It wasn’t all Jack’s fault but he did play a part in it. It was an easy fix for several problems. Jack was tired of Tote and Tote was tired of him. He still had his connection with the president of Saltchuk(Tote’s parent company) at the time to look after him and the job with Seastar(also a Saltchuk company) was an easy fix for everybody except me. Jack was completely delusional about how it came about. I put most of the blame on the company and moved past that and worked with Jack. I have no problem with Jack as a captain. He is decent, not bad and not great as captain. As the president of the union, I have a problem with that.]
RMA you can be one of two people. As far as being passed over for promotion, you have to make your own name for yourself. I’ve had guys come in from other areas of the union to snatch a coveted position from me. The truth is, you can’t blame that person for that. They are not responsible for your promotion, demotion, or whatever. As for Jack Hearn, the man has sailed over 20 years as captain. He has probably forgotten more than most of us will know. He was the top of his class, Regimental Commander of King’s Point, and had a work ethic starting further back than that. He hasn’t achieved what he has on accident. He’s worked for it. And I believe that same work ethic will continue once he’s elected as our union president.
I asked Jack once why he doesn’t use some of the dirt he has on Bethel and he stated simply ‘thats not who I am.’ Hearn walks the walk. Acta non Verba. This is not the time for crying in our beers. This is the time to put someone into a position who Walks the Walk. Someone who isn’t going to be there to increase their wealth. I believe Hearn’s motives to be genuine. The man wants to go to Heaven. And he realizes that there is a lot of work ahead of him and is still not afraid.
The biggest issue I have against Jack is the image that he tries to promote is not really who he is. Call it the “Tiger Woods syndrome”. Jack does not walk the walk. Jack told me numerous times that the dirt on Bethel would come out. He would imply certain things but couldn’t produce any evidence. He clearly would have if he had had any. The whole thing with Tom Kelly really put me off. I figure if someone is using Kelly for advice that shows a serious lack of good judgment on his part. He also tries to present himself as a great protector of our union brothers. Jack is no knight in shining armor. I recently asked a company employee how Jack was doing. The response was “well you know Jack, he takes care of Jack”. This is someone who has known Jack for probably nearly 20 years. There are many other character traits that he puts out there as his own but are not the way things are but I won’t get into that.
<O:p</O:p
It is obvious that some people are under some misconceptions as to how the regimental commander thing works at K.P. It isn’t the number 1 cadet gets the job kind of thing. It appointed on a rotating basis by semester. The brightest ones are rarely appointed to this position because they cause too many problems. They pick ones that they see as ones that will fit into the K.P. system. Some K.P. grads call them “tools”. There is a double meaning behind the word. I am sure it is not hard to figure out. Any one who is still proud of being regimental commander after all these years to me is like the high school quarterback who relives a game that happened 30 years ago. It means nothing now.
<O:p</O:p
Just to for informational purposes, most positions on ships are not filled because of reputation or ability. Most are just of convenience. People are in the right place at the right time. The office personnel are so isolated from the ships that they have no idea who or what they have out there. The office just goes around putting the latest fire out. Mostly they just need a warm body. This is not a knock on them just the way it is.
<O:p</O:p
For the ones who really don’t understand the dynamics of Saltchuk-Tote-SeaStar. Here is the summary. Saltchulk is the parent company of around a dozen companies including Tote, Seastar and IAS. Tote is not in charge of Seastar. Jack’s transfer out of Tote to a lower paying job with Seastar was due to Tote and Jack being tired of each other. Jack getting the job with Seastar had nothing to do with his reputation and everything to do with his connection at Saltchuk. Mostly, it was a marriage of convenience. Jack has been after the job on the El Yunque for some time now. His connection in the company passed away and his welcome has worn thin with other people in the company so it doesn’t look like he will get the job that opened up there.
<O:p</O:p
I know all about Jack and the Northern Lights. Jack has one ability that he has a great talent in. Jack is very good at writing his own press releases. His press release then becomes a matter of record. Most of us go on doing our job and expect no recognition. Jack writes his own history. You have to give him credit for that. Many people have bought into the image that Jack portrays. Many people bought into Tiger Woods image too. I don’t blame them for buying this image. Politicians have been doing this since time began.
<O:p</O:p
In response to those who think I am disgruntled towards Jack. I would say I have problems dealing with people who are hypocrites and that may be why I seem disgruntled. I could care less about what he does as captain. He was somewhere in the middle of all the captains I sailed with. Maybe I was lucky and sailed with a really good bunch but chances are better that I have sailed with a variety in my nearly 25 years in the union. I do not wish to see Jack as union president as I see him doing damage that cannot be repaired. There is a different skill set needed for union president than for captain. There are captains that have that skill set. I don’t think Jack has what it takes. People may say I am cynical. May be. I do know that I didn’t vote for Jack in the last election even though it would have given me a promotion had he been elected. That may be the ultimate in cynicism.
<O:p</O:p
It is obvious from the posts here that most people here think Jack is a saint and will never be convinced otherwise. I won’t waste any more time trying to convince you otherwise. I just wanted to try to inform some people on the real Jack. As for the rest of the AMC, I suspect they are good upstanding union brothers.<O:p</O:p
[QUOTE=Queequeg;43815]RMA Do you have a stance on how Bethel has done as our Union President?[/QUOTE]
I am not thrilled with Bethel. I am also disappointed in what my paltry pension will be. However, I cannot in good conscience vote for Hearn. I have seen through his act and can’t put him in charge. I wish there was someone better running. As in politics, it always seems like the people who would do the job better stay out of the race. It always seems to be a choice between bad and worse. I understand that some people think any change would be better. From my perspective, Jack Hearn is far worse.
So, Mr. RMA (may I call you Coon for short?)…you seem to be the only voice of dissension on this forum (besides the obvious incumbent poster). If we take you at your word that you genuinely think Jack would do a bad job and this is not a personal grudge…how much worse can Jack do than Tommy? In any event I really doubt he’d do anything that would ruin the union…too many checks. So it seems to me the worst situation we might have is an election beween a giant douche and a turd sandwich, in which case we’re no worse off than before; or Jack comes riding in like the white knight and saves the day; or something in between.
To “Steamer”: I understand your interest in our election and share your hope that AMO gets away from being the anchor holding back American officers unions. However, I must disagree with your comment regarding voting for as guy because he was a good captain or a good drinking buddy, and we shoud be putting in a CEO type instead. First off, we’re a union, not a business. The job of a CEO is to maximze the bottom line, while union leadership’s job is to represent people–two very different, and one might argue, nearly mutually exclusive, functions. I think a good captain (or chief) would actually be just about perfect for union leadership, because such a person would have good management skills, a “can-do” attitude, and, most importantly, firsthand knowledge of what members have to deal with every day on every waterway in the world. The one thing Jack may not be good at is robbing the members coldbloodedly, and doing it quasi-legally.
[QUOTE=awulfclark;43821]So, Mr. RMA (may I call you Coon for short?)…you seem to be the only voice of dissension on this forum (besides the obvious incumbent poster). If we take you at your word that you genuinely think Jack would do a bad job and this is not a personal grudge…how much worse can Jack do than Tommy? In any event I really doubt he’d do anything that would ruin the union…too many checks. So it seems to me the worst situation we might have is an election beween a giant douche and a turd sandwich, in which case we’re no worse off than before; or Jack comes riding in like the white knight and saves the day; or something in between.
To “Steamer”: I understand your interest in our election and share your hope that AMO gets away from being the anchor holding back American officers unions. However, I must disagree with your comment regarding voting for as guy because he was a good captain or a good drinking buddy, and we shoud be putting in a CEO type instead. First off, we’re a union, not a business. The job of a CEO is to maximze the bottom line, while union leadership’s job is to represent people–two very different, and one might argue, nearly mutually exclusive, functions. I think a good captain (or chief) would actually be just about perfect for union leadership, because such a person would have good management skills, a “can-do” attitude, and, most importantly, firsthand knowledge of what members have to deal with every day on every waterway in the world. The one thing Jack may not be good at is robbing the members coldbloodedly, and doing it quasi-legally.[/QUOTE]
From what I have seen of old Jackie boy, he could do much worse than Tommy boy without even being aware of the damage he has done. I can see a world where we are losing contracts on a regular basis. It seems to me that is the key thing that hold everything together. As far as dissension goes, I know many people who have sailed with Jack in senior positions that have no use for him. Most people aren’t that vocal about the challenger. Most people shout the loudest against any incumbent administration. People who are neutral or have a favorable opinion of the incumbents tend to remain quiet. The same thing happened the last time around. I would guess it tends to happen quite a bit in politics.
[QUOTE=awulfclark;43821] I think a good captain (or chief) would actually be just about perfect for union leadership, because such a person would have good management skills, a “can-do” attitude, and, most importantly, firsthand knowledge of what members have to deal with every day on every waterway in the world.[/QUOTE]