Our Message
AMC 2008 Election Campaign Platform
This campaign agenda was first posted by the AMC in the spring of 2006 and represents a break with the past administrations that failed to do it’s best for the AMO member at sea. If elected, Candidate for National President Jack Hearn will report to the membership on the progress of these goals within 100 days of the election. Reports will be updated every six months.Plan of Action and Conduct:
- We shall, upon successful election and change of command of union management, implement an Immediate Plan of Action to accept responsibility, conduct business, and apply reliable stewardship to all operations and accounts.
- Coordinate and implement professional assistance to advise and assist the elected members of the Executive Board so that the transition is complete, seamless, and ensures immediate good management of the American Maritime Officers.
- Improve accountability of union officials and plans officers to ensure membership security.
- Open union government and increase membership involvement and oversight.
- Empower the membership to ensure security, democracy, and fairness for all and for the future.
We will review AMO Plans to improve efficiency, communications, personal benefits, protection, insurance coverage and safeguard benefit plans from misappropriation and fraud. We will develop union plans growth and security for future generations and retired members.
- Why it must be done: The current AMO Leadership is too closely linked to a legacy of corruption. We need to break from the past: from proven corruption that has resulted in misappropriation of benefit plans funds. And we must protect benefits for union members and their families now and for tomorrow.
- How we intend to do it: 1- Hold SACRED and improve every earned benefit and right of the membership. 2-Review management, legal compliance and accounting with secondary auditors and incorporate new oversight. 3-Review and change the appointment of trustees to guarantee membership welfare and representation over administrative welfare and self-preservation. 4-Increase trustee training and oversight. 5-Increase membership awareness and involvement.
We will review, upgrade, and bring lawful fairness to shipping and dispatch rules. We will stabilize jobs, security, your rights, and enhance the opportunity to obtain satisfactory jobs.
- Why it must be done: We need to break from past and current practices where there has been a lack of trust in administration control of jobs and dispatch.
- How we intend to do it: 1-Establish a voluntary membership committee to work with the new administration to review the Shipping Rules and report findings to the membership. 2-Establish employment audit procedures to ensure fairness and legal compliance. 3-Reduce administrative control over dispatch and improve on electronic methods of shipping opportunity.
We will make political action of interest to all members. We will support ethical political action to ensure the welfare of the membership, union and industry.
- Why it must be done: Again, we must break from the illegal activities of union officials that have resulted in federal convictions. These activities continue to cloud the AMO’s reputation. We need to renew importance of ethical political action for the union’s honor and integrity.
- How we intend to do it: 1-Oversight and secondary audit of political action. 2-Establish new policies and focus. 3-Represent the membership at sea. 4-Correct the damaged reputation of the AMO in political circles with a vigorous program of representation.
AMO Constitution, Laws, and Elections:
We will review the AMO Constitution to ensure regulatory, ethical, and practical compliance with the highest standards of the law. We will ensure that the membership is fully informed on proposals and referendums. We will obey the law, fairness of elections, equal rights and democratic representation according to the LMRDA.
- Why it must be done: There has been a proven and continuing pattern of misconduct, membership suppression and illegal activity by executive board members to control union government by abusing Constitutional powers. There has been abuse of democratic process by the executive board including overstepping of its legislative and judicial authority exemplified by Resolution 3 and the denial of a fair election appeal bringing U.S. Dept of Labor intervention.
- How we intend to do it: 1-Establish a voluntary membership committee to review the Constitution and write proposals for membership referendum. 2-Establish goals of democratic reform and legal compliance. 3-Improve fairness of election procedures based on lessons learned during past and current elections.
We will provide members with access to information concerning meetings, negotiations, and rights. We will lower costs and improve financial and asset management to benefit members. We will provide strong leadership to protect the autonomy, strength and security of the AMO.
- Why it must be done: Past and current AMO Executive Boards operate the union’s funds with impunity and for self-promotion. This violates LMRDA guidelines and the Bill of Rights for Union Members. We need to break from the legacy of dishonesty to members.
- How we intend to do it: 1-Enhance involvement with union operations and interface with membership committees. 2-Audit and provide a report on the union’s financial status. 3-Generate new managerial direction to control costs, protect autonomy, and serve the membership first.
Collective Bargaining Contracts:
We will truly open collective bargaining to membership involvement. We will enhance your authority giving democratic representation to members on the job. We will substantially improve the union’s program to attract new contracts, jobs, and opportunity for members.
- Why it must be done: The current union leadership is failing in its responsibilities to members. 1-Most members work without information on their contractual rights. In accordance with the LMRDA, union members are entitled to a copy of their contract. 2-The current administration is losing jobs and has closed the books to AMO union membership.
- How we intend to do it: 1-Develop a joint committee to review the union’s business practices. 2-With legal and business experts, establish protocols to enhance the democratic process of contract ratification. 3-Expand union focus to generate new job opportunities. 4-Find out why the union has lost contracts and correct these problems. 5-Develop a competitive business plan with membership involvement. 6-Get a copy of contracts and agreements on the vessel.
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Why it must be done: Past and current administrators have very little seagoing experience. Instead, they have been involved in self-promotion and illegal activities in order to keep drawing their salaries, benefits and expenses. We need to break with administrators who have no regard to national duty or honor of the maritime profession.
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How we intend to do it: 1-Request membership guidance through a formal survey of union goals, plans, and expectations. 2-Establish a new set of professional guidelines that will renew membership driven goals and the responsibility of the AMO Administration to the members!