IBU and MM&P crews have worked the Alcatraz ferry for a long time. Some of us have done the work for over thirty years. During that time, the work has been performed first by Red & White Fleet and later by Blue & Gold Fleet.
In fall of 2005, the George W. Bush appointed bureaucrats who run America's National Park Service (NPS) awarded the exclusive and lucrative ferry contract, hitherto held by Blue & Gold Fleet (a union employer) to non-union Hornblower Yachts.
Although legal proceedings and challenges held up the changeover of service, Hornblower finally prevailed and began operation of the Alcatraz ferry on September 25, 2006, nearly one year after the NPS announced its selection.