In the short run, it might suck for current union members, but in the long run it should result in a bigger and stronger union with more (and better paying) jobs on the board.
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I mean, at least we have safe tankers now for the sadists who enjoy tankers. SLNC Goodwill should be flung into outer space.
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I bet they would create that billet (āJr 3Mā) if it means that they can pay someone less.
Tankers are full of bell-to-bell work, audits, vettings, scrutiny, etc. Iām pretty sure most box boat guys arenāt going to be salivating over a bunch of ATC and OSG jobs hitting the board. On the other hand, there will be lots of work available for those that want it. If dozens of people run to the box boats with an A book in-hand, there will probably be plenty of high-paying 2M and CM jobs available in the tanker fleetsā¦for those who want it.
For those who have the PIC. I donāt know many that do or who crave the switch. Time will tell, I guess.
I was gonna say, isnāt there only a few tankers in that union? Hardly enough guys with PICās to start jumping ship and taking OSG jobs. But things going the other way, thatāll for sure happen if they show up with A books.
Interested in the reasoning here, just because more ships/jobs is better for a union? Possibility for more union consolidation in general?
All I know of are Haina Patriot, SLNC PAX and SLNC Goodwill, personally. There might be one more Iām missingā¦
And the Allied Pacific
OSG already has an entry pay scale for 3M New Hire. 6,108.53 base/335.36 Stipend. This works out to 2,223.30 less per month than a 3M. This is for their first two trips so they can get their PIC and learn to stand Cargo watches.
The MMP vote was primarily 3M guys and a few 2M. Most if not all the CMs voted no representation. They are mostly already vested and are secure in their positions. The 3Ms voted mainly because of the A book and the option to leave for Box Boat jobs. It really shouldnāt be surprising. With the A book, itās a smart move for the Jr LDOs.
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That payscale was not created for new 3ms to get their PIC. It was created many years ago under the guise of a training budget but was complete bullshit.
Back then OSG did not hire you if you did not have a PIC.
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OSG is going to drag this out for years. Companies do this a lot- it took the DISH network employees in Texas 10years to get their first contract. MMP doesnāt have any strong leverage over OSG just a very costly legal fight ahead. Itās not like they could get the engineers to strike demanding a contract for the Mates. I doubt MEBA isnāt going to do any favors for MMP after loosing the vote.
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Years ago they sent Mike Blunt to SUNY to recruit people ā he actually told cadets to get out of his face if they didnāt have a PIC. Kind of a giant prick, but it proves your point.
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Yea, he was an idiot and an asshole at the same time somehow.
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The OSG MEBA contract is through June 15, 2026. I would think MMP would ask for parallel pay compared to MEBA engineers and try to do collective bargaining in 2026. No idea of MEBA will opt to do this? I agree with your assessment that they do not have leverage.
Anyone know what the MMP contracts look like on the MEBA box boats compared to the engineers?
I only ever had access to the MMP contract on the shipās computer. Couldnāt say, but the engineers at MLL seemed as content as the deckies. (Seemedā¦)
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I would expect most of the experienced CM at OSG who can leave, will. Sailing with new 3Mās that do not have tanker experience is brutal. Itās not safe, nor sustainable. At least at Keystone (MEBA), the CMās are paid for the 14-16 hour days they are forced to work in port because the 3Mās donāt have experience. Difficult to sustain, but the young MEBA CMās have been able to keep it going, for the most part.
I donāt know. Time will tell.
Tanker CMs are not something they can replace easily. Finding those who fit the matrix requirements and having the experience will be the most difficult hurdle for both the operator and the union if these guys start leaving.
With the lacking wage increases for US maritime industry the past decade and the recent high profile wage negotiations with ILA, Boeing and others maybe this will help tip things in our favorā¦
Not sure where youāre getting this incorrect information. The vote was in January, and the communication from mmp to the LDOs has been excellent. The only issue has been the NLRB dragging ass.
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As a retired MEBA engineer. MMP and Meba need to bargain together. The pass through jobs really are not helpful to either union as I remember. I do wonder how MMP will fill all the OSG jobs once the mates seek greener pasture on box boats. Coastal tanker work is low pay and a lot more work and headache.
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