It’s not U.S. warships or international flotillas that are going to stave off the onslaught of Somali pirates, it’s American unions. As Mother Jones points out, the crew of the Maersk Alabama, which was recently accosted, but later regained control of the ship are part of the Seafarers International Union* and they don’t mess around. Unlike non-union scabs, they’re well trained for any situation, after all they attended the “union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education” according to a statement from SIU:

Among the school’s course offerings are an anti-terrorism briefing that is given to every student; security awareness; vessel security officer; basic and advanced fire fighting; chemical, biological and radiological defense; vessel familiarization; small-arms training; damage control, and dozens more classes.

Apparently hostage negotiations wasn’t part of the curriculum as the captain is still being held captive after offering himself up and getting carted away on a lifeboat.

*Fun bonus fact: The SIU also represents all those heroic ferry crews that helped pull U.S. Airways passengers out of the icy waters of the Hudson River when Captain America safely glided the plane to safety—he’s also repped by a kick ass union!