Don’t worry, they will be there. It’s a lot of long term jobs for the union and these guys will step up to help out the union and the contracted company, SUP style. I’ve heard of a couple of B guys pulling that stunt. Hopefully you brought it up with the port agent, unless it was SIU. That would be a waste of time and make you out as a troublemaker. Some officers act like their job depends on your toeing the line. Just remember, the Company and the Union made the good faith agreement, not the Union and the captain and C/M. Most officers know this while they have their job and responsibilities as well. There is a reason for the contract. Learn it, live it. But, there are expectations of you as a professional sailor. A good Bos’n or AB will prod you along, but will take the time to show you how to do something right or just better. My first ship, a non-union company Coastal Corp’s ‘Eagle Point’, ran my ass into the deck daily. Balls to wall, bell to bell. But, I had one of the 3 best Bos’ns I ever sailed with and the best damn gang of ABs ever. Most of what I know today I learned on that ship.