Officials

The Official Web Site of the Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association

Established 1883 in San Francisco, California

Affiliated with the Seafarers International Union of North America, AFL-CIO

Anthony Poplawski - President/Secretary-Treasurer

     Anthony Poplawski began his seagoing career in 1978, when he enlisted in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and served as an Electrician's Mate aboard the USS Carl Vinson.  The Detroit, Michigan native joined the Marine Firemen's Union in 1988, sailing as a Maintenance Electrician on the SS Manulani, a Hawaiian Enterprise class containership operated by Matson Navigation Company.  Afterwards he sailed as Chief Electrician and Refrigeration Engineer, and worked as a Shore Mechanic in San Pedro, California. 

     He was elected to the office of Wilmington Port Agent in 2001, San Francisco Port Agent in 2003, and President/Secretary-Treasurer in 2005.  Anthony holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Liberal Arts from the University of the State of New York-Regents College (now Excelsior College).  He is a delegate to the San Francisco Labor Council, Alameda Labor Council, San Francisco Bay Area and Vicinity Port Maritime Council-Maritime Trades Department and California Labor Federation.  He is also  an ex officio Vice President of the Seafarers International Union of North America, AFL- CIO.

William OBrien- Vice President

     Born in Queens, New York, William OBrien shipped out of the Marine Firemen's Union Brooklyn Hall in 1973, serving as a Wiper aboard the SS Rice Queen, a jumbo-ized T-2 tanker operated by Bulk Foods.  He has since sailed as Unlicensed Junior Engineer, Refrigeration Engineer and Chief Electrician, and has worked as a Shore Mechanic and Refrigeration Training Instructor. 

     William was elected to the office of Wilmington Port Agent in 2003, and Vice President in 2005.  He has earned several Certificates in Labor Studies from Laney College in Oakland, California and Los Angeles Trade and Technical College.  He is a delegate to the San Francisco Labor Council, Alameda Labor Council, San Francisco Bay Area and Vicinity Port Maritime Council-Maritime Trades Department and California Labor Federation.

Robert Bugarin - Wilmington Port Agent

     Robert Bugarin joined the Marine Firemen's Union in 1965.  The San Pedro, Californian's first ship was the SS Horace Irvine, an-ex liberty ship operated by the Weyerhaeuser Steamship Company.  During his career, Bob has sailed as Wiper, Messman, Unlicensed Junior Engineer, Refrigeration Engineer and Chief Electrician. 

     In 2005 he was first elected to the office of Wilmington Port Agent.  Bob has earned Certificates in Labor Studies from Los Angeles Trade and Technical College.  He is a delegate to the Southern California Port Maritime Council-Maritime Trades Department and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

Bonny Coloma - Honolulu Port Agent

     Bonny Coloma joined the Marine Firemen's Union in 1968.  His first ship was the Matson Navigation Company passenger liner, SS Monterey.  Over the years, Bonny has sailed as Wiper, Unlicensed Junior Engineer and Chief Electrician. 

     Bonny was first elected to the office of Honolulu Port Agent in 1995 and has served in that capacity through the present term of office.  He is also a delegate to the Hawaii Port Maritime Council-Maritime Trades Department and Hawaii State AFL-CIO.

Patrick Bateman - Board of Trustees

     Patrick Bateman was born in Oakland, California and raised in San Francisco.  He first shipped with the MFOW on the SS Transoneida, a converted tanker-to-containership operated by Matson Navigation Company.  Patrick has sailed as Wiper, Evaporator Maintenance Man, Pumpman, Plumber, Unlicensed Junior Engineer, Refrigeration Engineer and Electrician.  Since 2003 he has worked as the Building Manager at MFOW Headquarters. 

     He was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees during the 2009-2010 term of office.

Ivy "Cajun" Callais - Board of Trustees

     "Cajun"  Callais is a native of Violet, Louisiana.  He began his seagoing career as a teenager on Gulf Coast shrimp and oyster boats, followed by a couple of submariner hitches in the U.S. Navy.  His first MFOW ship was the SS President Jefferson, a Pacesetter-class container vessel operated by American President Lines.  He has worked as Chief Electrician, Refrigeration Engineer and Shore Mechanic, and has served as 3rd Shift Leaderman at APL's Global Gateway Central terminal since 2005.

     Cajun has completed several liberal arts and engineering courses at Saint Bernard Community College in Louisiana and Diablo Valley Community College in California.  He was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees

for the 2009-2010 term of office.

Anthony De La Rosa - Board of Trustees

     Anthony De La Rosa joined the Marine Firemen's Union in 1967.  His first MFOW-contracted ship was the SS Lurline, a passenger liner operated by Matson Navigation Company.  The San Francisco, California native has sailed as Wiper, Fireman, Watertender, Oiler, Unlicensed Junior Engineer, Refrigeration Engineer and Chief Electrician, and has worked as a Shore Mechanic and Shift Leaderman. 

     Tony  served on the MFOW Board of Trustees from 2001 through 2004, and was again elected to serve during the 2007-2008 and 2009-2010  terms of office.