SS California strike facts for kids

The SS California strike was a protest by sailors on the big ship SS California. It happened from March 1 to 4, 1936. The ship was parked in San Pedro, California. This strike led to the end of the International Seamen's Union. It also helped create the National Maritime Union. This new union is now part of the Seafarers International Union of North America.

The Ship Strike

Joseph Curran was a sailor on the SS California. This ship belonged to the Panama Pacific Line. He had been an experienced sailor and a leader of the ship's crew since 1922. Joseph Curran was a member of the International Seamen's Union (ISU). But he didn't take a big part in union meetings.

What Happened During the Strike?

In 1936, Curran led a strike on the SS California. The ship was parked in San Pedro, California. Curran and the crew refused to untie the ropes to sail. They demanded higher wages and payment for overtime work.

This strike was a "sit-down" strike. This means the crew stayed on the ship. They knew if they left, the owners would hire new workers. The crew stayed aboard and did all their regular duties. But they still refused to untie the ship's ropes. The California stayed tied up for three days.

Finally, Frances Perkins, who was the United States Secretary of Labor, stepped in. She talked to the crew by telephone. Perkins promised to set up a meeting to hear their complaints. This meeting would happen once the ship reached New York City. She also promised that the company and government would not punish the strikers.

During the SS California's trip back, the Panama Pacific Line did raise wages. They added $5 a month, making it $60 per month.

The Aftermath

But Frances Perkins could not keep all her promises. Daniel Roper, the United States Secretary of Commerce, and the Panama Pacific Line said Curran and the strikers were like rebels. The company even put ads in newspapers attacking Curran. When the ship arrived, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents were there. They started an investigation into the "mutiny."

Curran and other strike leaders were fined two days' pay. They were also fired and put on a list. This list made it hard for them to find new jobs. However, Perkins did manage to stop them from being charged with a crime for rebelling.

Sailors all along the East Coast went on strike. They protested how the SS California's crew was treated. Curran became a leader of this 10-week strike. He later formed a group called the Seamen's Defense Committee.

A New Union Starts

The SS California strike was just one of many protests by US sailors. Many strikes happened on ships and in ports in 1936 and 1937. These were in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. In October 1936, Curran called another strike. This was the 1936 Gulf Coast maritime workers' strike. One reason was to make working conditions better. Another was to make the ISU look bad. This four-month strike stopped 50,000 sailors from working. It also stopped 300 ships from sailing.

How the NMU Was Formed

Curran believed it was time to leave the old-fashioned International Seamen's Union. He started signing up members for a new union. So many sailors joined that hundreds of ships were delayed. Sailors listened to organizers and signed up for the new union.

In May 1937, Curran and other leaders started the National Maritime Union. The Seamen's Defense Committee became a union itself. They held their first big meeting in July. About 30,000 sailors switched from the ISU to the NMU. Curran was chosen as the president of this new group. Ferdinand Smith, who was born in Jamaica, was chosen as the secretary-treasurer.

Important Changes

From the very beginning, the NMU had members of all races. Within six years, almost all unfair treatment because of race stopped. This included hiring, wages, living spaces, and work tasks.

Within one year, the NMU had over 50,000 members. Most US shipping companies had contracts with them. The ISU lost most of its members. It almost disappeared.