ABSTRACT
There are several historical, economic, and ideological factors that caused labor relations in the American maritime industry to follow the path they have (Schneider 1958: 2). For generations, even during eras of profitability for shipping companies, life at sea was at best a harsh experience. When times were bad for shipowners, they became less responsive to the terrible living and dangerous working conditions aboard their ships (Hohman 1956; Dillon 1961). Power was vested with the shipowners in agreement with tradition and law. The shipowners could hire and fire at will. Seamen had few rights, and their unions were too weak and ineffective to do anything (Heine 1980).
