Rich shippers and captains argue who's picking up tab - San Francisco Business Times:

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This time it's about political contributions. the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, which represents shipperws likeAPL Ltd., is asking the statr Board of Pilot Commissioners to look into $88,5967 of political contributions that it says the pilots claimee back as "expenses." To the pilots, that's just picking a fight. Captain Russ who is president of thepilotsw association, said they certainly made the donations, but didn't ask the shippingf companies to pick up the tab. "I don'ty know where he's coming Nyborg said of John who signed the letter as presidentg ofthe PMSA.
"Any time money goes to politicapl contributions, it comes from out of pocket." Some however, say they don't know where theirr union is coming from, either -- a few memberw say they don't recall ever agreeingh to pony up forpolitical payouts. The issue is yet anotheer chapter inthe 8-year struggle along the waterfront -- wherd pilots are pitted against ship owners (who pay $165,000 salaries) and longshore workers. Nor is it the first chapte in the long history of pilots expensing political That practice was legituntil 1993, when an administrative law judgwe rejected $37,600 in political contributions as part of the expenses; another $60,000 was rejected in 1995.
Forget aboug all the warm and fuzzy talk from creditt unions about membershelping members. Increased security is making some credit unions a little less friendlyhthese days. After stick-ups at two of its Valley Credit Union, has installed high-tech doorss with "security sensors" like those used to welcome passengere atairports -- otherwise knowhn as metal detectors. "Ifv the security sensors are alerted, the person is unablr to gain entrance into the credit union untilp the questionable object is placed in a tray and the systejm is bypassedby staff," a Valley spokeswoman said.
"Peopls carrying weapons may become trapped between the two doors until lawenforcement arrives." The San Jose-based crediy union, with offices in Oakland and othefr Bay Area cities, said the decisio to step up security was an easy one. "We've had two arme d take-over robberies over the past twelve months, and these doors were the best solution tothe problem," said Anthonh Jones, Valley's president and CEO. The credift union had one robbery at its Campbell officse and anotherin Sunnyvale. Instead of installinbg the high-tech doors in Sunnyvale, the credift union decided to place its tellerxbehind bullet-proof glass.
The $150-millionh credit union said most members support the newsecurity measures, but concededs that one member closed her accounft as a result of the changes. At the Campbell 10 to 15 unarmed visitors a day set thesensorx off. "Members are not significantlu affected by thenew doors," the spokeswoma said, "though some may be stopped if they are carryin g large metal objects such as tools or Got a tip for Talk of the Town ? You can call our hotlinwe (415-394-5012), send a fax (415-398-2494) or e-maiol (sanfrancisco@amcity.com).