In re the Claim of Budnik

—Appeal from a decision of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board, filed October 9, 1996, which ruled that claimant was disqualified from receiving unemployment insurance benefits because he voluntarily left his employment without good cause.

Claimant worked as the third assistant engineer on a merchant vessel for the employer, a steamship company. He *942was notified in November 1995 that the annual shipping season which ended on December 20, 1995 would be extended for an indefinite period beyond the regular season. Claimant exercised his right under his union contract to take family leave from…