National Maritime Union News

The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.) is sad to announce that Jesse M. Calhoon, the M.E.B.A.’s longest serving President who is widely credited with ushering the Union into the modern era, died on Tuesday October 22. He was 90 years old. Calhoon served the M.E.B.A. as a powerful and visionary leader, and a tough negotiator who employers viewed as a formidable but trustworthy adversary. His dynamic service as M.E.B.A.’s top executive and Chairman of the Board of Trustees spanned over 20 years and six U.S. Presidencies.

Offshore Mariners United, (OMU), a federation of five U.S. maritime unions organizing workers in the Gulf of Mexico oil patch offshore service industry, will hold a rally in front of the Ernest N. Memorial Convention Center in New Orleans at 12 p.m. today to coincide with the International WorkBoat Show. The event is to protest the denial of worker's right to organize by the boat companies doing business in the Gulf of Mexico. Union leaders from around the world, including David Cockroft of the International Transport Workers Federation, Michael Sacco, president of the Seafarers International Union and Rene Lioeanjie, president of the National Maritime Union and the head of maritime unions in Australia, Norway and Great Britain are expected to address the rally.

Talmage (Tal) E. Simpkins, who devoted 50 years to American maritime labor and the seafaring community, died Sunday, March 11, at Fairfax (Va.) Hospital of injuries sustained in a traffic accident last month. He was 79 and lived in Haymarket, VA. At the time of his death, Mr. Simpkins was in his 18th year as President of United Seamen's Service, the agency that provides health, welfare and recreational services to American and international seafarers at eight overseas ports. He retired last year as Executive Vice President of the Labor Management Maritime Committee, Washington, DC. In April 1956, Tal Simpkins commenced his maritime career as Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director of the AFL-CIO Maritime Committee.

The Hanjin Oslo sailed into the harbor of Pusan Newport becoming the first container vessel to arrive at the new Mega Hub. The 279 meter vessel’s arrival was a commemorative event carrying 45 distinguished passengers on a short voyage from the old Busan port to the new state-of-the-art Pusan Newport facility. Passengers included the Minister of Maritime and Fisheries (MOMAF), the President of Busan Port Authority, PNC executives, Pilot Association President, Tugboat Association President, Busan Port Union President, National Maritime Union President and other government officials. The Hanjin Oslo arrived carrying guest in order to showcase the harbour and facility which is engineered for safe and efficient vessel navigation.