Charting the course with M.E.B.A.

The time we have been waiting for is almost here…finally!!! The NLRB recently notified us that they intend to issue a  decision on the pending petition for election later this month. Many of you have no doubt already made your decision -  knowing that M.E.B.A. is the best choice for all officers onboard OSG vessels.

For those who are unsure, here is a list of some of the benefits that come with joining M.E.B.A.:

• Superior pension plan, there is no other pension plan in this industry better than ours, other than perhaps your CEO Sam Norton paying himself millions.
• Superior medical plan
• Strongest representation
• Highest paying contracts
• Large variety of ships - with more container ships on the horizon
• United bargaining unit allowing greater negotiating strength

These are just a few examples of why M.E.B.A. is the superior choice. It is understandable that many are tired of the disrespectful treatment of the mariners on board and the complete disregard for any sort of mariner work-life balance.  

It is clear that no one in the senior leadership of your company has recent seagoing experience. That means they cannot possibly understand the challenges you face every day – including Employers (like OSG) constantly making mariner work harder and less rewarding. But we can and do understand those challenges – because we have all been exactly where you are.  

While it is great that OSG installed Starlink on all of its vessels, its attempt to save money by only purchasing one TB of data for the ship while the typical Employer purchased 5 TB, shows that OSG is foolishly saving pennies while throwing away dollars. During the largest mariner shortage of our lifetime, OSG needs to retain and attract mariners more than almost any Employer – its penny pinching and skimping will not accomplish this. Shame on them!

M.E.B.A. will not let them get away with this. You are entitled to be treated fairly – and we will stand for nothing less. M.E.B.A.’s fairness and respect for our members is also demonstrated through our transparent shipping rules, by-laws and constitution, and our commitment to mariners is reflected in the compensation of M.E.B.A. Union Officials. Compensation for M.E.B.A. officials is tied directly to what our average officers are earning; it is not inflated or superior to what our members make onboard our vessels. The M.E.B.A. believes in lifting all boats, or in this case members, up together.  

M.E.B.A. is the oldest and strongest Officers Union in the United States. We are actively growing and thriving. As marine officers are in great demand, M.E.B.A. is working hard to ensure that these officers get what they deserve for their hard work.  

We look forward to representing you in the near future.

United we bargain, divided we beg.