Jay Wedman Q&A

With such an important decision ahead of you I think it is important to have as many facts as possible. As we now have a greater reach and can contact each one of you individually, I wanted to bring back my question and answer series of emails.

Over the past year, I've had the privilege of attending numerous vessels, where I've engaged with many of you and attempted to address many of your concerns. It has been an enlightening journey, filled with productive conversations and insightful questions about the intricacies of the organizing drive and what that will mean for your future.

These conversations have motivated me to compile some of these questions and their corresponding answers into a series of emails. I hope these emails assist you in making an informed decision.

Q: I know M.E.B.A. touts its pension, but can I still contribute to a 401K as well?
A: The M.E.B.A. has self-directed 401K option in which you control the amount being contributed each time you get on a vessel.

Q: What does it mean to clear for a job? I have always just dealt directly with OSG.
A: To clear for a job you provide M.E.B.A. copies of your documents and we deal directly with the companies so you don’t have to.

Q: Clearing electronically, how will this work and who does it apply to?
A: All deck officers who remain with OSG will have the ability to clear electronically from the comfort of their own home.

Q: Will I keep my permanent position on the vessel I am currently on?
A: Yes. You will be able to maintain this permanent position for the duration of your employment with OSG, if you are promoted the permanent status will remain with your new position.

Q: Will I have to stay with OSG, or can I look for other jobs in M.E.B.A.?
A: No. You will be able to ship at any M.E.B.A. hall with group 1 status as soon as the contract has been completed.

I encourage you to reach out to me either by email or the next time you see me on the vessel with any additional questions and I will add them to them email series as you can be assured if you are asking the question someone else is probably wondering about it as well.