WGMA Offers Mediation to GALTEX Pilots

Offer reportedly not yet accepted; mediation on Monday unlikely, says WGMA spokesman.

In a direct challenge to GALTEX Pilots and in an apparent effort to avoid the upcoming scheduled rate hearing on July 16th, the West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA), has proposed mediation on July 6th. According to a WGMA spokesman this afternoon, the pilots had not yet responded to their proposal and that “Mediation on Monday appeared to be unlikely. The hearing on the proposed rates remain scheduled for July 16th and 17th 2009."

Last week, WGMA advised Vandy Anderson, Chairman of the Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Ports of Galveston County (via E-mail), that “On behalf of all of the objecting parties, WGMA informed the pilots the objecting parties were willing to mediate. The objecting parties are available to mediate on July 6. The objecting parties have determined Barbara Ann Radnofsky is available to act as mediator on that day. The objecting parties propose using Ms. Radnofsky as mediator because she does not have (as far as the objecting parties can determine) a connection or relationship with any of the parties and she has a reputation as an extremely effective mediator. Ms. Radnofsky was a litigator with Vinson & Elkins for 27 years, and was the Texas Democratic U.S. Senate nominee in 2006. If the pilots do not agree with this proposal the objecting parties will be glad to entertain alternatives proposed by the pilots.” Anderson last week told MarEx that it is was his hope that mediation efforts would work and he encouraged both sides to come to some sort of arrangement that would facilitate that.

The WGMA said that the e-mail had been sent on behalf of the six individual parties that have formally filed objections to the GALTEX rate application. Furthermore, they said, “Our hope is the GALTEX Pilots will accept the below invitation. Should the invitation be accepted, we will provide a follow up with details on location and time for the July 6th mediation.”

(Captain) Chris J. Gutierrez, Presiding Officer of the GALTEX pilots did not return MarEx calls for comment or confirmation of AGMA statements in time for this edition of the MarEx e-newsletter.

MarEx readers can read our last news update on the rate dispute by clicking HERE.