I was injurred while sailing as 3A/E on a US flag containership recently. I was airlifted from ship by USCG helicopter out of Sitka, AK and flown to Juneau for surgery, amputation of right index finger. The company is taking care of the "cure" but hasn't decided yet on what "maintenance" to give. Our union contract show $16 per day. This may have been OK for a single seaman in 1960 but today it's just a bad insulting joke. I was wondering if anyone had any insight as to why any maritime unions would agree on such a small amount for "maintenance" this day and age. I haven't gotten a reasonable answer from my union yet other than "it's never been a big issue". Well I'm making it a big issue now. I've been working as engineer since graduating in 1983 and this is my first injury ever aboard ship so I've never had to deal with this. Now I know. I'll be not fit for duty for at least 3 months. I only completed 24 days of a 90 day rotary job. I'm paid 'till end of voyage which was 10 days after that. As you know There's no unemployment comp when injurred. Also no disability comp in my state. I understand Matson offers their sailing employees disability insurance through the state of CA. for $1 per day and they're covered $700 per week in the event of a shipboard accident or illness. Why haven't the maritime unions started a program like this for all ships after they've agreed on $16 per day as maintenance?

Please be patient as we deal with technical difficulties here on the forum. Sorry for the delay in answering.

Sorry I took so long to reply...I have been pretty busy!

Bottom line: You are right.

The collective bargaining agreements by the unions are terrible when it comes to daily maintenance amounts. When I started this business the steamship companies had 'collectively bargained" and eight ($8.00) dollar a day figure! So, in the early 80's the companies thought they were doing you a favor by paying $15.00 dollars a day. As if you can have room and board for $15.00 a day??? Give me a break!

The legal research I have had done on this is even worse. Where the federal courts could exercise their powers they do not. The defer to the congressional laws that support collective bargaining by unions. This is true even though the general maritime law is also suppose to be time honored.

In addition, the seamans' unions are generally weak. They are much weaker thatn the rail unions. Hence, they are useless as well and, in my opinion do not make this a big issue. I suggest you try to start a seman's grass roots issue on perhaps gCaptain or other major saman's internet spot.

Sorry the answer is what it is but it's the truth! Finally, I want to say thank you for stopping by. The site's Forum side definitely has not taken off like I had wanted and I if you have any suggestions, I am all ears. The legal case side had been well accepted everywhere!

Be safe and I wish you calm seas!

Steve