Democracy resurgent as Marine Engineers Vote

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Insurgents won a decisive victory in the election of officers of Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, District 1. Mike Jewell defeated incumbent Don Keefe by 824 to 660.  By the same comfortable majorities, Jewell's MEBA United slate elected eight of the top nine officers. Only Bill Van Loo, incumbent secretary, survived the insurgent sweep. Four of the six candidates for patrolman and eight of the candidates for the ten convention slots were elected on the MEBA United ticket. MEBA District 1 enrolls the skilled licensed engineers who work below deck to keep the ships' engines in operation.  

Before leaving office, Don Keefe, the defeated incumbent, summoned a meeting of the five-person lame duck District Executive Committee for December 30 to consider a proposal to void Jewel's election. But, according to a second-hand report to UDR, the move fell flat when two voted no, two abstained, and one refused even to cast a vote. At the end of the discussion, not one vote went for voiding the election.  

Tom Leahy, a former MEBA Baltimore Port Agent, now retired, considers Jewell a man of integrity and a “great improvement” for the union. Leahy was one of the leaders of MAD [Members Advocating Democracy] a reform MEBA caucus formed in 1989 that succeeded in ousting corrupt MEBA leaders. (They were later convicted in Federal Court on charges of fraud.) Since the MAD victory of those days, the democratic spirit has remained alive in MEBA. Turnover of administration is common. 

Rudy Viega, a former MEBA Atlantic Coast vice president and New York patrolman--also now retired--describes Jewell as “a gentleman and man of honor.”  Viega, too, was one of the leaders of the victorious MAD reform group back in 1989.  According to his informed analysis, in the years after the reform victory, the supporters of the new administration separated into two rival tendencies. One camp was determined to build upon the new democratic spirit and keep the leadership accountable to the membership. Their rivals, according to Viega, were narrowly devoted to strengthening their own power base. Control of the union shifted from one side to the other, but members remained jealous of their rights. Viega is convinced that Jewell's election was an important moral victory because he and his followers are inspired by the democratic goals that motivated the MAD reformers. However, Viega adds, the new administration may need all the help it can get: maritime is a tough and complex place for any seafaring union.