My question is about crew rotations and the contract that I am working under

[GreyB]

My name is Greyson Brantley ... I am a U.S.Merchant Marine ... I am currently working aboard a U.S Naval ship operated by American Overseas Marine .I am a unlicensed seaman and a member of the Seafarers International Union . . It has been my experience that when my rotation is up the company is telling me that I have no reason to leave the ship and that if I do leave I have to put in for a emergency leave of absence . Ive contacted my union about this and I get a different answer every time .... My questions are .... (1) Are there supposed to be crew rotations for these ships (2) If so , what are they , 120 days 180 days ? Are there different rotations for ROS,FOS or RAV ? Do I receive paid travel when I complete a tour of duty or is it only once per calender year ??? I can e-mail you a copy of my contract ... [email]greybrantley@comcast.net[/email] .... ... I HAVE POSTED MY CONTRACT HERE ( [url]....http://www.box.net/shared/bdp681r0io.....[/url].... ) ITS THE SIU CONTRACT ... NOT THE AMO CONTRACT ... TKS

[GreyB]

My read of the contract >>>>>>

1...There is supposed to be a manpower pool for only these ships ... These men/women are to work on these ships in rotations .... 2...These rotations are to be as close to 90 - 120 days as is possible ...3... Upon completion of his/her rotation each and every sailor will receive paid travel home ... They will be home for 90 - 120 days and will then return to one of the ships with paid travel back to the ship .. ..(Common shipping rotations :-)



1..."The union and company SHALL develope a system of assignments on the basis of fleetwide rotation in order to ensure an EQUITABLE distribution of employment in order to develope and maintain a dedicated manpower pool for these vessels"

2..."I read that as a MINIMUM of 90 days to a MAXIMUM of 120 days subject to an exception "or as scheduled by the Company, etc..." I don't know what that means as a practical matter, but it seems to give the Company some flexibility other than 90-120 days."

3...Crewmembers who complete their designated tour of duty SHALL be provided transportation in accordance with Section 29."(Sec 29 simply states that we may have to fly on military aircraft . Will accept economy class travel and will be paid for meals,hotels,milage etc at the gov rate)





I believe that the AS SCHEDULED BY THE COMPANY is there to protect the company in the event that the ship is at sea or in a war zone and a crew member wants off....It also allows for a way to keep the employment ..... FAIR AND JUST .... Its near the end of the year and sailor a has a month more employment time than sailor b . Sailor b is allowed to return a month early and sailor a has a short tour (Another common shipping practice) ... Sailor A and B both get a nearly equal 6 months employment for the year .