Washington DC – Members of the Seafarers Union work on a wide variety of vessels, including commercial container ships and tankers, military support ships, tugboats and barges, passenger ships, gaming vessels and many more.
The expansion of global trade and military conflict around the globe directly affected SIU operations. Transportation of goods and services to our armed forces worldwide continues to be a critical role of Seafarers. SIU members were called upon to move men and equipment following the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The continual changes in technology, trade and world politics provide both opportunities and challenges for the SIU.
Before the Seafarers International Union was formed in 1938, there were several other unions that organized maritime workers, including the International Seamen’s Union (ISU), which formed in 1892 and was chartered by the American Federation of Labor. Pressures from the Great Depression and internal division led to the downfall of the ISU, despite some successes, including securing the passage of the Jones Act in 1915.
The SIU was formally given a charter in 1938 with nearly 7,000 members. World War II had a major impact on the maritime trades. SIU members were a huge part of the war effort, providing military support to the Allies and serving as the underpinning of the Allied supply lines. The casualty rate for merchant seamen was higher than any other branch of the armed services. The union managed to secure hazard pay for those sailing into war zones. After the war, the SIU made tremendous gains with organizing drives, a general maritime strike and the creation of AFL’s Maritime Trades Department.
In the 1950s, the SIU continued to expand by merging with other smaller maritime unions. The union also opened up several training facilities to help Seafarers hone their professional skills. The union was successful in the 1960s in calls to modernize the U.S.-flag-bearing fleet. The 1970s would see the union successfully fight for the passage of the Merchant Marine Act, which gave a boost to the maritime industry, including boosting jobs.
David W. Heindel has served as the president of the Seafarers International Union since February 2023. The union has 80,000 members.
