andrew furuseth (left) senator la follette (center), , muckraker lincoln steffens, circa 1915
during existence, union did have major effect on shipping industry. perhaps significant successful lobby seamen s act of 1915. act fundamentally changed life of american sailor. among other things, it:
another of isu s successes strike of 1919, resulted in wages all-time high deep sea sailors in peace time.
however, isu had shortcomings , failures, too. after round of failed contract negotiations, isu issued all-ports strike on may 1, 1921. strike lasted 2 months , failed, resulting wage cuts of 25 percent. isu, afl unions, criticized being conservative. example, in 1923 industrial workers of world publication marine worker referred isu s pie-cards (paid officials) grafters , pimps. additionally, union weakened loss of sailors union of pacific in 1934. furuseth charged sup being infiltrated radicals iww, , demanded sup cease activities maritime federation. sup refused , isu revoked charter.
the isu involved west coast longshoremen s strike of 1934. lasting 83 days, strike led unionization of west coast ports of united states. san francisco general strike, along 1934 toledo auto-lite strike led american workers party , minneapolis teamsters strike of 1934, important catalysts rise of industrial unionism in 1930s.
west coast sailors deserted ships in support of international longshoremen s association longshoremen, leaving more 50 ships idle in san francisco harbor. isu officials reluctantly supported strike. in clashes police between july 3 , july 5, 1934, 3 picketers killed , scores injured. during negotiations end strike, sailors received concessions including three-watch system, pay increases, , better living conditions.
in april 1935 @ conference of maritime unions in seattle, umbrella union established represent membership of isu maritime officers , longshoremen. called maritime federation, harry lundeberg named first president.
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