Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders, and Wipers Association, Seattle Branch records , 1934-1955

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association. Seattle Branch
Title
Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders, and Wipers Association, Seattle Branch records
Dates
1934-1955 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.5 linear feet, (1 container)  :  1 record storage box
Collection Number
Bx 044
Summary
Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders, and Wipers Association (union) was founded October 1883, in San Francisco, California. The collection (1934-1955) contains meeting minutes, reports of the Auditing Committee, financial reports, shipping reports, and agent's reports.
Repository
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

Additional Reference Guides

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders, and Wipers Association (union) was founded October 1883, in San Francisco, California, and "reorganized in 1907 by amalgamation with an independent firemen's union. The founding members were firemen on coal-burning steamers."

The union went on strike in 1886-1887, 1901, 1906-1921, and 1934. In 1934, after eighty-four days of striking, "a tentative settlement was reached through the auspices of a board appointed by the government--the National Longshoremen's Board. This board was to arbitrate the longshoremen's case, and to supervise balloting among the seamen to determine the organization they desired to represent them in collective bargaining and arbitration. In this election, the Marine Firemen's Union won the right to represent unlicensed engine room personnel; the Sailors' Union of the Pacific, deck department; and the Marine Cooks and Stewards Association, the steward department."

After the 1934 strike, union members took on Standard Oil. "A joint strike committee was formed and Standard Oil retaliated by assisting an independent tanker union. As the strike dragged on, the California Federation of labor issued a circular that "war has been declared on organized labor by Standard Oil Company", and called upon organized labor to boycott all Standard Oil products."

There were more strikes in 1936, 1948, and in 1962. During WWII, "union leaders and members knew that merchant seamen would be subject to war action at sea, without the benefits accorded by the government to the military. Much time was spent laying the groundwork for war bonuses."

[Source: Marine Firemen's Union. The Official Web Site of the Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association. mfoww.org]

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection (1934-1955) contains meeting minutes, reports of the Auditing Committee, financial reports, shipping reports, and agent's reports.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Labor disputes--Washington (State)--History--20th century
  • Labor laws and legislation--Washington (State)--History--20th century
  • Merchant mariners--Labor unions--Pacific States--History--20th century
  • Merchant mariners--Labor unions--Washington (State)--Seattle--History--20th century

Corporate Names

  • Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association
  • Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association. Seattle Branch

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)--History--20th century

Form or Genre Terms

  • Financial records
  • Reports