Take It Easy, But Take It

WW2 leaflet News Bulletin, just one month after the end of the war. "NEW YORK, (via radio) - The crippling strike of almost 60,000 longshoremen is delaying the return of "thousands of troops" according to Captain Hewlett Bishop of the War Shipping Administration. the world's busiest harbor was virtually idle again today, the 10th day of the walkout in a union dispute over new contracts. Thousands of tons of cargo went unmoved as 369 ships were tied up. The strike, said Captain Hewlett Bishop of the War Shipping Administration, was delaying the return of "thousands of troops" and 17 Liberty ships were ordered to leave their cargo behind and sail for Europe immediately to pick up returning servicemen. In London British troops were unloading food cargoes from approximately 300 ships tied up by the countries most paralyzing dock strike since 1926.  The unauthorized walkout which threatened a critical food shortage, started at Liverpool more...

"Dearborn, Michigan - Strikers of the Oil Workers International Union Local 456 C.I.O. picket the Dearborn Wyoming bulk station at the Socony Vacuum Oil Co. Credit Line: Acme  9/20/45"

1944 National Maritime Union of America C.I.O. membership book. "Whereas organization is the only means by which the seaman may hope to advance their interests and attain final emancipation from the many evils attending their calling, and Whereas we have learned from bitter experience that the main aim and purpose of the employing interests is at all times to divide and keep apart organizations endeavoring to unite for their common interests, and Whereas the industrial form of organization will insure more unified and harmonious action in all matters directly affecting the interests and welfare of our membership, we Therefore declare ourselves in favor of the organization of an Industrial Union to be known as the National Maritime Union of America and we further declare that in order to protect the interests of the majority of the membership who are aboard ship and in the ports throughout the world, we have adopted this constitution."