The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA) have signed on as the newest affiliate for the Maritime Trades Department.
MEBA originally joined the MTD in 1957 but had breaks in service from 1967 to 1976, and from 2013 until now.
“Our members work side-by-side aboard ships and it’s only natural to have them back with the MTD,” stated Michael Sacco, the department’s president. “We welcome MEBA back as we’ve always fought for what’s best for our members and the industry.”
MEBA President Adam Vokac will be the union’s representative on the Executive Board. He has been an MEBA member since 2000, and started serving as its president in 2021 after election by the membership.
Brother Vokac graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy as Valedictorian. He has sailed aboard steam, diesel, gas turbine and nuclear-powered vessels. He has an unlimited horsepower chief engineer’s license. He earned a Master’s in both Mechanical Engineering and Ocean Systems Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
On the lighter side, Vokac led a team of MEBA members at the June 2021 Shoot for a Cure for cancer research sponsored by the Greater South Florida Maritime Trades Council.
With MEBA’s return, the MTD now includes 23 affiliates representing more than 5 million members.