Document zbkLabmoKooa3Bjy7XvXv0Bp3

Vol. 2, No. 5 March 10, 1960 ETMU-S1U Fails in Bid for Review of Unfair Labor Practice Charges A decision by the General Counsel's Office of the National Labor Relations Board, Washington, D. C., apparently removes the last obstacle to a union representation election in the Esso fleet. The decision upheld the New York Regional Director in dismissing the union's charges of unfair labor practices against the Company. The SIU affiliate had charged the Company with unfair practices on September 18. These claims were investigated by the New York Regional Office of the Board and were dismissed on December 30. Shortly afterward the former independent union moved to have the case reviewed by the Board's General Counsel. This was refused March 3 in a letter from Irving M. Herman, Acting Director of Appeals, NLRB, to Howard Schulman, attorney for the ETMU-SIU. The text of the letter is as follows: "Your appeal from the Regional Director's refusal to issue complaint in the above case, charging viola tions under Section 8 of the National Labor Relations Act, has been duly considered. . "This office concludes that there is insufficient evidence of violations to warrant further proceedings. Accordingly, the ruling of the Regional Director is sustained." Stewards' Union Negotiates New Labor Contract The newly formed Esso Stewards Organization, independent and unaffiliated, completed negotiations with the Company for a new labor agreement on March 3 and the contract was signed March 4. Prin cipal gains achieved by the new union are as follows: An increase in paid leave to 122 days per year, effective February 9, on the basis of approximately 40 days leave after 80 days worked. Retroactive to July 1, 1959, Stewards' paid leave was increased by 15 days per year and a further in crease of 15 days vacation per year is to be made effective February 9, making the total paid leave 122 days annually. Paid leave transportation increased to nine cents per mile. A $120 per month continuous service bonus for 20 or more years' service as Steward, bringing the monthly wage of 20-year Stewards to $720. Improved lodging and subsistence allowances. Steward Lester M. Payne (seated, left). Chairman of the independent Esso Stewards Organization, looks on as J. D. Rogers, General Mana ger of the Marine Department, signs new agreement covering Stewards' wages and working conditions. Standing (I. to r.) are John J. Collins, Adviser, and Steward Lester E. Eckert, ESO Secretary. i EXX-MOR-006680 Qualified Radar Observers As of March 1, the following men on the Deck Officer Seniority List have notified the Port Captain's office that they have passed the Radar Observer Qualification examination: Abernathy, Davis L. Acosta, Joseph R. Ahorrio, Jose A. Babcock, Philip W., Jr. Boje, Johannes Bradley, Daniel J. Brown, Patrick J. Burke, James L. Chambers, Wiley L. Christenson, James C. Clark, Earl R. Clark, Harry L. Coffill, Andrew E. Crawford, Edward Danielsen, Arthur Edwards, Raymond C. Ewell, Roy H. Lacey, Adelbert W. Lawton, Thomas K. Leatherman, Paul W. Lee, Victor G. Liseth, Oddvin Llewellyn, Charles L. Maras, Alv A. Marshall, Daniel E. McCartney, Howard G. McGovern, Robert J. Mercer, James A. Merritt, Roy J. Meyer, Kurt E. Morrell, Jack H. O'Connell, Eldridge J. O'Hara, Clarence E. O'Neill, Richard J. Owens, Charles E., Jr. Foote, Charles I. Foster, Earl M. Franklin, Milton L. Frutiger, Keith E. Galloway, William M. Gerrity, John A. Greene, William A. Griffiths, Harold Hagen, Mangor Hamilton, William Hansen, Barne Haugevik, Olav Hunt, Anton H. Isaacson, Albert J. Jacobsen, Hans C. Jensen, Oscar A. Johnson, Taisto A. Johnson, Joseph E. Johnson, Walter A. Key, James G., Jr. Kirby, Robert G. Parker, Wesley B. Poulsen, Nels Price, Marshall G. Regan, John B. Riley, John F. Ronhave, Harald Salt, Francis E. Scara, Albert M. Schroeder, John H. Selvik, Aksel Sims, William N. Smith, Arthur W. Smith, Fred G. Springer, Victor T. Stanley, John Stober, Charles F. Sutherland, John D. Tolfsby, Christian W. Trenoweth, Herbert A. Van Nostrand, Wesley J. Zeman, Charles Marine Coin-Your-ldeas Awards Initial Awards $50 Supply Alidades to Ships By Jr. Third Mate Jean S. Brower Pointing out that passing navigational marks at extreme ranges makes it difficult to take bearings, Mr. Brower proposed that alidades be put aboard Company ships. This instrument consists of a tele scope fitted over an azimuth circle. Folding Platform for Access to Top Burners By First Asst. Engineer Donald Dunbar A folding platform was designed by Mr. Dunbar for use by engineroom personnel when changing top burners. The platform hinges to the permanent one located in front of the boilers and provides safer footing for men working on the top burners. $25 Plexiglass Sunshades for Wheelhouse Windows By Captain Rupert W. Gwaltney Captain Gwaltney received $25 for suggesting that tinted plexiglass be supplied to ships for use as inserts in wheelhouse ports and windows to reduce glare from the sun. Drinking Water for Men Working in Remote Areas By Deck Maintenanceman Max C. Seidlitz Mr. Seidlitz suggested that a drinking water fountain be installed in the midships square. While his idea was not adopted as presented, thermos jugs have been purchased for each vessel for use by men working where there is no convenient drinking water supply. $15 Illuminating Wheelhouse Clock By Second Mate Clarence E. O'Hara In order to facilitate reading the wheelhouse clock at night, Mr. O'Hara devised a method of illuminat ing the dial. New Type Soogie Brush By Deck Maintenanceman Joseph S. Rountree The Coin-Your-ldeas Committee voted Mr. Roun tree an award for his suggestion of two new types of soogie brush for use aboard ships. Free Pocket Secretary The Coin-Your-ldeas Committee is offering this type of pocket secretary, complete with address file, note book and ballpoint pen, for the first CYI sug gestion made by each per son in 1960. ESSO FLEET NEWS is published for the seagoing employees of Esso Standard, Division of Humble Oil & Refining Co., Marine Department: J. D. Rogers, Gen eral Manager; James E. Stoveken, Assistant General Manager; Sydney Wire, Assistant General Manager. W. E. Gardner, Editor; R. M. Sheridan, Editorial As sistant. Contributions and sugaestions are invited and should be addressed to The Editor, ESSO FLEET NEWS, Room 1713, 15 West 51st Street, New York 19, N. Y. VACATION IN EUROPE Many people only dream about going to Europe but Frank J. Gross, who has worked in the enginerooms of Esso tankers for the past 10 years, makes his dreams come true. On his latest trip, last summer, he spent three months touring and sightseeing in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Leaving New York, Frank flew to Hamburg (via Amsterdam), visited relatives in Bremen and from there went on several railroad and bus excursions. "The `Touropa' tours are a wonderful deal," Frank said. "For 195 marks (about $50) you can take a two-week trip covering the Bavarian Alps; Innsbruck, Austria, and Konstanz, Zurich and Luzern, Switzerland. You get rooms in private homes and breakfast is included." Frank stayed three weeks in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria -- famous for winter sports -- climbed the Zugspitze by cable car and chair lift, took tours to the Rhineland and the Black Forest and had two memorable weeks in Amsterdam on his way home. "West Germany appeared very prosperous," Frank continued. "The highways are full of cars, streets are being widened and there is practically no unem ployment. There is lots of camping, dancing (rock 'n roll and jitterbug) and `night life', which is no special bargain. In one place 1 paid $1.50 for a scotch and soda." Photos by Frank J,, Gross 1. Bavarian Alps scene with the Zugspitze in left background. 2. Frank Gross (left) with his host, Karl Neff and family, in Garmisch, Germany. 3. In Garmisch, cows come home at eve, each to her own barn, unassisted. All have harmoniously tuned bells, creating an "all girl band." Cows have right-of-way and they know it. 4. A castle and vineyards on the Rhine, from an ex cursion steamer. 5. Street (actually the top of a dyke) in Volendam, Netherlands. EXX- M O R-006682 RECENT RETIREMENTS Bos'n Victor Erice. With ideas for a trip to his native Chile and then fishing, working around his Brooklyn home and "just enjoy ing" himself, Mr. Erice starts his new career as an Esso annuitant on March 1. He rejoined the Company on February 14, 1932 as Able Seaman in the /. A. Mof fett, Jr., sailed in this rating for 11 years and as Bos'n for the remainder of his 28 years of Esso service. Deck Maintenanceman Hjalmar Petterson. Born in Norway and now a resident of Brooklyn, Mr. Petterson first shipped out for the Company in the James McGee and Ampetco in 1920. He re turned to the fleet in 1947 as Able Seaman in the Esso Concord and, from then until his retirement on March 1, had assignments in this capacity and as Bos'n and Deck Maintenanceman. Fireman-Watertender Mi chael Kica. After over 30 years in the enginerooms of Company ships, Mr. Kica looks forward to a life of ease following his Janu ary 1 retirement. Signing on the W. C. Teagle on July 25, 1927, he sailed in over 52 vessels and was Oiler in the Wm. Rockefeller when she was torpedoed and sunk off Cape Hatteras on June 28, 1942. Utilityman John Keany. John Keany was a New York City policeman for 25 years before joining the Company on February 3, 1952 as Crew Messman in the Esso New York. Retiring on January 1, he plans a trip to his native Ireland this spring and then short visits around the United States to see his children and grandchildren. William E. Barnes. With a background of 20 years' experience in the electrical field and four years as an Electrician in Company ships, Mr. Barnes was appointed a Construction Inspector on January 9, 1942. He returned to sea for one year in 1946 and, from August 1, 1947 until his retirement December 31, served ashore as a Repair Inspector. Mates and Engineers Attend Tank Coating Class Jr. Third Mates Arthur Danielsen, Harald Ronhave and Gerald F. Smith and Jr. Third Assistant Engineers Dwaine F. Hettinger, Curtis W. Keech, Jr. and Sebastian L. Koep were among those attending a course in cargo tank coating procedures at Houston during the week of March 1. Sponsored by the Humble Oil & Refining Company, the course is in tended to train future inspectors to evaluate proper surface preparations and coating applications. J. F. Koehler, Technical Assistant in our Repair Division, is the principal instructor. Whistle Signal Light on Test Aboard Esso Huntington As an aid to safer navigation in congested waters, a light that automatically goes on for the duration of a blast of the ship's whistle has been installed for test ing on the Esso Huntington. The optional unit consists of an ap proved type marine fixture having a 400 Watt lamp and an amber colored fresnel mounted on a nine ft. mast and located on the upper navigating bridge. Appropriate wiring, relays and switches are provided. TAFFRA1L TALK ^MHHMH The Esso Chattanooga docked at Albany on March 5 with a cargo of heating oil and gasoline. This is one of the earliest tanker discharges at that terminal in a number of years and was made the day after New York was blanketed by a 14-in. snowfall. There must have been some beautiful (but chilly) scenery enroute. *** Speaking of snow, Jr. Third Mate Joseph M. Stultz, who lives in West Plains, Mo., had to charter a private airplane to get to St. Louis -- a distance of 190 miles. That was the only way he could avoid being snowbound and get to the March 1-2 Marine Officers' Conference. jjs JjC Edward A. Grinnan, Jr. Third Asst. Engineer in the Esso Gettysburg, won a new Pontiac Catalina with $1. worth of chances in a Glen Burnie, Md., Fire Department fund raising campaign. # :|s # Jimmy Key, six-year old son of Jr. Third Mate James G. Key, Jr., is reported well on the road to recovery from his bout with meningitis. Mr. Key's dash from the Esso Washington to his son's hospital bed was mentioned in the last issue of the Fleet News.