Marina V. Secchitano, indefatigable ferry advocate and longtime Northern California regional director of the Inlandboatmen's Union ("IBU"), has won election as national president of that union, defeating the incumbent, Alan Cote.
Incoming IBU Regional Director Robert Estrada (right) poses with newly elected IBU President Marina V. Secchitano.
BY BOBBY WINSTON
Published: January, 2018
Marina V. Secchitano, indefatigable ferry advocate and longtime Northern California regional director of the Inlandboatmen’s Union (“IBU”), has won election as national president of that union, defeating the incumbent, Alan Cote. The result, with Secchitano winning 52 percent of the vote in a three-way race, was announced December 15.
A formidable presence on the working waterfront for more than 25 years, Secchitano was first elected regional director in 1989 upon the sudden death of her predecessor, Rich Estrada. She is widely respected—and feared by some—for her ferocious advocacy on behalf of her members.
Secchitano has been just as stalwart fighting for comprehensive regional ferry service. She helped lay the groundwork for what is now known as San Francisco Bay Ferry (“WETA”) and served as a founding member of the board of directors.
The Northern California region of the IBU stretches from Morro Bay to the Oregon border and includes some 400 ferry and tugboat workers. In her new role as national president, Secchitano will lead some 4,000 members across six states (Alaska, Oregon, Washington, California, Hawaii and Texas) and can be expected to be a vigorous advocate for expanded ferry service on the national political stage.
The race for IBU President was a whirlwind 60-day affair, taking Secchitano to all states with IBU members, including a 36-hour ferry ride aboard the Alaska Marine Highway, the ferry service connecting Washington state with Alaska.
Secchitano joined IBU as a ticket booth representative on December 9, 1976, the day the Larkspur Ferry Terminal opened. Following a 104-day strike in 1979, she was recruited by Estrada to join his staff. Following another strike in 1989, this one nine months long, Estrada died unexpectedly of a massive coronary, and Secchitano was elected in the special election to replace him.
Estrada’s son, Robert Estrada, replaces Secchitano as Northern California regional director.
