Five cargo ships in the American Steamship Co Great Lakes fleet are laid up in Sturgeon Bay after a strike. Licensed deck and engineering officers and stewards represented by American Maritime Officers went on strike against American Steamship Co. on Monday after their contract with the company expired.

Mr Gene Caldwell GM of Bay Ship Fincantieri in Sturgeon Bay said that all of ASC's operating vessels were tied up or headed for lay up. Five of the vessels were allowed to dock next to Bay Shipbuilding Co in Sturgeon Bay. He added that "This has nothing to do with Bay Ship. It should have no effect on us."

Mr Caldwell said that the five vessels docked in Sturgeon Bay are the Saint Clair, the H Lee White, the Walter J McCarthy Jr, the American Century and the American Integrity. All would leave when the strike is resolved.

Mr Caldwell also said that he is aware there is some scrambling going on to find replacement vessels to carry cargo. The cargo vessels deliver coal, cement and other material deliver to ports on the Great Lakes, including the port of Green Bay.

Picketers with American Maritime Officers walked outside Bay Ship earlier this week.

A news release by American Steamship Co, a subsidiary of GATX Corporation, said that if the labor dispute continues, it would bring in other crew members to operate all vessels in 2012.

(Sourced from www.greenbaypressgazette.com)