the issue once the ship arrived in Philadelphia.
Fabon, a seafarer for 32 years and a captain for seven, knows firsthand the difficulties the work- ers face. He’s been on ships that fended off pirate attacks and on those that almost capsized in storms. “I can steer the ship,” he told Rex. “But without the crew I can’t do anything.”
On the deadline day, Petitpas and Rex drove to the pier in an SIH van. The matter hadn’t been resolved and the deadline was four hours away. They met with the captain. Pet- itpas explained that he is one of 127 inspectors working internationally to represent seafarers and their griev- ances. The federation has the sup- port of 108 unions. “We depend on organizations like SIH and SCI to be our eyes and ears when they visit ships,” Petitpas said. “Without them we wouldn’t find out about cases of this kind. We work together.”
Petitpas already had several conversations with the executive in Greece who has the power to resolve the back wages issue, twice waking him up due to the time zone. Sitting with the captain and Rex, Petitpas called the executive again, plainly drawing his ire. “Wouldn’t it be less expensive simply to pay the wages you owe than to incur arrest of the ship and these additional [legal] expenses?” Petitpas argued over the phone.
The executive bellowed into
Petitpas’ ear, fed up with the “med- dling” pastor and the noisy inspec- tor. With his free hand, Petitpas drew repeated circles in the air to indicate that the executive was going on and on in circles. Exasperated but calm, Petitpas hung up. “He’ll call back,” he said confidently. Petitpas doesn’t dress like a high- priced lawyer. The self-assured
inspector has a record in cases like this that would be the envy of any attorney. “I’ve never lost one of these,” he said matter-of-factly. In the hundreds of grievances he’s
handled, “this one doesn’t begin to compare to the worst episodes,” he said. That includes the 19 times Pet- itpas said he had to arrest a ship until a matter was resolved. “These cases always get settled in favor of the seafarers,” he said. “I’ve collected about $2 million in back wages. Once we got all the way to the courthouse steps before the case was settled … but it was.” As the 2 p.m. deadline neared,
Petitpas hoped he wouldn’t have to institute an arrest this time. But the telephone rang. The Lady
Anthula’s 19 crew members would receive $18,217 in back wages that
very day. On Monday, their families were to receive the $29,972 owed them from the ship’s agent in the Philippines. By law a significant portion of Filipino crew wages is sent directly to families. As Petitpas and Rex looked on, Fabon began the happy task of counting out back wages. As crew members came in to collect, there were broad smiles on each face. Outside the cranes and forklifts continued their dance, and inside the Lady Anthula it felt like music was playing.
Editor’s note: On May 13, Rex received word from the spouse of a crew member on the Lady Anthula saying wages had again been delayed. At this writing, the matter has not been resolved.
with other Lutherans!
10 Days Travel
Rose Parade & Coastal Tour
Plus...San Francisco $1348*
from Departing December 29, 2012
Get away from the colder weather during the first week in January and enjoy the best New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day you have had in years! Start in Los Angeles (4 nights) with a city tour of L.A., Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and an exclusive, pre-parade, after public hours, float building and viewing at the Rosemont Pavilion with included dinner. Watch the artists put the “finishing touches” on the floats unencumbered by public crowds! On Tuesday, January 1, 2013, enjoy your reserved grandstand seats at the Rose Parade! On Wednesday, January 2, depart for Central California along the coast. Visit Santa Barbara and its Camino Real Mission; the Danish Village of Solvang; tour the Hearst Castle, with its considerable collection of art and antiques and travel along Big Sur and California’s famous Scenic Highway One, to Monterey. Next, spend three nights in San Francisco with an included city tour plus tour of Alcatraz Island!
*Price per person, based on double occupancy. Airfare is extra. For details & itinerary call 7 days a week:
1-800-736-7300 July 2012 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52