Marine Workers Industrial Union facts for kids
| Merged into | International Seamen's Union |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 30, 1930 |
| Dissolved | 1935 |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Location | |
|
Members
|
14,000 |
|
Key people
|
Roy Hudson |
The Marine Workers Industrial Union (MWIU) was a labor union in the United States. It was started by the Communist Party of the USA (CPUSA). This union existed for a short time, from 1930 to 1935. It aimed to bring together workers who sailed on ships or worked in ports.
Contents
Forming the Union: A New Start
In 1927, a member of the Communist Party, George Mink, traveled to the Soviet Union. He learned about organizing workers there. When he came back to the US, he started working to help organize people who worked on ships and in ports. He worked with another group called the Trade Union Educational League. By 1928, they formed a group called the Marine Workers Progressive League.
On April 26–27, 1930, a meeting was held in New York. This meeting created the Marine Workers' Industrial Union of the USA. This new national union followed other smaller meetings held along the coasts from 1928 to 1930. The MWIU openly joined with the Trade Union Unity League (TUUL).
MWIU and the 1934 Strike
In 1934, there was a big strike on the West Coast involving many port workers. The International Seamen's Union and another union, the Marine Transport Workers, joined this strike. However, the MWIU was accused of not fully supporting the strike. Some said they even worked against it by having their members cross the picket lines. This action is sometimes called "scabbing."
End of the Union: A Quick Dissolve
In 1935, the MWIU had about 14,000 members. However, a top official named Roy Hudson decided to close down the union. This decision was made without a vote from the members. After the MWIU dissolved, the International Seamen's Union of America took over its role.
Union Slogan: Equality for All
The MWIU had a clear slogan: "Full economic, social and political equality for whites, Negroes and Asiatics!" This showed their goal of equal rights for all workers, no matter their race.
Where the Union Had Offices
The main office for the MWIU was in New York City. The union also had offices in many other US cities. These included Buffalo, Boston, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. They also had offices in San Francisco and Seattle. The MWIU even had offices in several cities overseas, like London, Hamburg, and Leningrad.
Important Members of MWIU
Many people were part of the Marine Workers Industrial Union. Some of the key members included:
- Roy Hudson, who was the national secretary of the MWIU.
- Al Lannon, who worked as an organizer for the union.
- Joe Curran, who later became the president of the National Maritime Union.
- Harry Hynes, another MWIU organizer.
- Hayes Jones, who later edited a newsletter for the National Maritime Union.
- George Mink, who helped start the union.
- Ferdinand Smith, also a member of the MWIU.
MWIU's Lasting Impact
Even after the MWIU dissolved, its history was remembered. In 1963, Nelson Bruce helped create the Marine Workers Historical Association. This group collected records and information about the MWIU. In 1980, a writer named George Morris (American writer) shared his memories of the MWIU during the 1934 strike. Today, a union called Marine Workers Industrial Union 51, which is part of the Industrial Workers of the World, has a very similar name.
