Alcatraz Union

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Secure Your Job and Your Future - Join the IBU! A union contract with the Inlandboatmen’s Union provides: Protection against unfair firings: IBU members can’t be fired without cause. IBU contracts ensure that members don’t get fired because of favoritism or discrimination—or because the supervisor is cranky when some dumb thing happens on the job. (When you work without a contract you can be fired for no reason at all. You work “at will.”) Fair rules for layoffs, promotions and scheduling: Union contracts stick to seniority to make sure workers are laid off and recalled fairly. The workers with the most time on the job get laid off last and recalled first. Scheduling and promotions get handled the same way. Did Alcatraz Cruises act fair when they cut employees' hours last fall? Are you tired of not knowing whether you will have a full-time job come October? A safety net in case of layoffs: If you do get laid off, as an IBU member you can go back to the Hiring Hall and get dispatched to another job and still keep your seniority at Alcatraz Cruises. IMPORTANT: IBU members in the Hall cannot bump you off your job! Seniority in the IBU works company by company. No IBU member can bump you off your job at Alcatraz Cruises. Unite with your co-workers to PROTECT your job! PS. Don't Get Suckered by Hornblower's Lies! - When you sign an IBU Union Card, you DO NOT automatically join our union. By signing the card you are showing your interest in joining the IBU. You do not pay dues until you and your co-workers approve your first contract. And anyone who is working at Alcatraz Cruises when the first contract kicks in does not have to pay the “initiation fee”. Resources for Orgasnizers: This statement as a flyer What Do You Want on the Job?
URL: http://www.alcatrazunion.com
Updated: 5 days 10 hours ago

Man indicted in connection with ship accident

Thu, 2008-02-28 22:00

From the San Francisco Chronicle, Saturday, February 23, 2008

A Suisun City man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of falsifying documents and neglecting duty in connection with an incident in which a Hornblower ship rammed a San Francisco pier in 2006, court records show.

Shawn Keith Cox, 44, had a U.S. Coast Guard merchant mariner license that was issued in 1996 but had been altered to make it look as if it were issued in 2006, said the indictment handed down Thursday by a federal grand jury in San Francisco.

On Dec. 4, 2006, Cox "failed to maintain the proper attention required" to prevent the M/V California Hornblower, a vessel that can accommodate 1,000 guests, from ramming Pier 3 in San Francisco, the indictment said.

Four days after the accident, Cox made a false statement in a report to the Coast Guard about whether he possessed a license, the indictment said.

Categories: Campaigns

Comments on the Hornblower / Circle-line Ferry Story

Thu, 2008-02-28 20:38

The author of the previous story, Amy Langfield, writes

Thanks for the link to my story about the new ferry service at Statue of Liberty. Though I'm curious as to why you're advocating a boycott of them. Is it because they're non-union?

Many thanks,

Amy

George S., a longtime bay area IBU member and maritime worker responds:

Yes. They took over the Alcatraz ferry contracts using non union labor. They won the contract making promises they couldn't possible keep.

They promised a Solar/Sail powered ferry by 2008! Not happening.

They were supposed to build a gateway destination--not happening.

They were forced to pay their non-union employees prevailing wages--their health benefits and retirement are lacking.

The previous company that had the Alcatraz contract (Blue and Gold) asked the National Park service if they could raise the rates to take passengers to Alcatraz. They were always turned down by the NPS because they would be gouging the public. As soon as Hornblower was granted the contract they were able to raise their rates substantially (something rotten here).

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Categories: Campaigns