Procedures in Enrolling Vessels under ITF / PSU Cover
The Philippine Seafarers Union (PSU) requires a letter from the agency/owners expressing its intention to enroll a certain vessel, attaching the 16-Point Questionnaire and crewlist. The PSU will seek clearance from the International Transport Federation (ITF), through letter or email, who will in turn consult the union in beneficial ownership country for the release of the negotiating right. Per ITF policy, it will take about 28 working days to claim or release negotiating rights.
As soon as the negotiating right is released and PSU is given the right to sign the agreements, PSU, thru Admin, prepares the Agreements (depending on the kind) for the signature of the parties in Manila.
There are different kinds of Agreements, to wit:
There are instances, however, that the owners or its representative will approach directly the ITF Agreements Unit in London. If this is the case, the ITF signs the Special Agreement with the owners, incorporating the PSU Agreement. The ITF then will advise the PSU that a Special Agreement has been signed. Corollarily, PSU will now prepare the CBA for the signature with the agency in Manila.
After the Agreements are signed, PSU submits these to POEA for authentication. PSU will provide 2 sets of the POEA-authenticated agreements to the agency/owners for their file and for vessel’s file.
The crew, through the manning agent, will have to fill out the Seaman’s Employment Contract and the PSU Application for Membership Form (copies of which will be provided by the PSU), which is the basis for collecting PSU dues and assessments. The joining crew are required to attend the Union briefing/PDOS that will be held /scheduled before their departure, either in PSU office or at agency’s office. PSU assigned staff/briefing officers will discuss, among others, the PSU benefits and services extended to members and their dependents. The Member’s Identification Cards and some materials/brochures are issued/distributed during the briefing.
Nota Bene: Every year, if there is an amendment to the CBA pursuant to the outcome of the negotiations between the Joint Negotiating Group (shipowners) and the ITF, the PSU shall review and make amendments to the PSU CBAs and submit the same to the ITF Agreements Unit and Fair Practices Committee (FPC) for approval of the new PSU CBAs.
PSU cannot implement the new PSU CBAs if there is no approval from the ITF and FPC.