International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots
Encyclopedia
The International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots or MM&P is a United States
labor union representing licensed mariner
s. It is the marine division of the International Longshoremen's Association
.
MM&P describes itself as a "Union of Maritime Professionals" and organizes licensed deck officers on U.S.-flag commercial vessels sailing offshore, on the inland waterways and on civilian-crewed ships in the government fleet; state pilots; marine engineers; unlicensed seafarers; and maritime industry shore side clerical and service workers. In addition, it operates two training facilities: the Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies near Baltimore, Maryland; and the Pacific Northwest Maritime Institute, in Seattle, Washington
. It operates 22 hiring halls in port cities across the continental United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
in 1887, they formed the first local of the American Brotherhood of Steamship pilots. As more locals began to spring up, ship's masters
expressed interest in joining. Accommodating this desire, in 1891, the fledgling union changed its name to the American Association of Masters and Pilots of Steam Vessels. In 1900, it further expanded to encompass all deck officers, and changed its name to the American Association of Masters, Mates, and Pilots of Steam Vessels.
MM&P was active in the 1934 West Coast waterfront strike, joining the strike along with the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association
on 19 May 1934. The two unions continued together to join the Maritime Federation of the Pacific (MFP) in 1937. The alliance, however, was short-lived. In July 1938, MM&P, along with the Sailor's Union of the Pacific, and the Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders, and Wipers of the Pacific Coast
Union withdrew from the MFP.
In 1954, the union added Canadian
locals, and changed its name to the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots.
Buffeted by the historical battle between the American Federation of Labor
's (AFL) Seafarer's International Union on one side and the Congress of Industrial Organizations
's (CIO) National Maritime Union
(NMU) on the other, the MM&P removed itself from the battleground by becoming a branch of the International Longshoremen's Union in 1971. The link has sometimes been tenuous: some 17 years later, when NMU joined MEBA, MM&P very nearly followed suit.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
labor union representing licensed mariner
Licensed mariner
A licensed mariner is a person who holds a license issued by one or more countries to hold senior positions aboard ships, boats, and similar vessels. The United States Coast Guard grants licenses to members of the United States Merchant Marine in five categories: deck officers, engineers, staff...
s. It is the marine division of the International Longshoremen's Association
International Longshoremen's Association
The International Longshoremen's Association is a labor union representing longshore workers along the East Coast of the United States and Canada, the Gulf Coast, the Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, and inland waterways...
.
MM&P describes itself as a "Union of Maritime Professionals" and organizes licensed deck officers on U.S.-flag commercial vessels sailing offshore, on the inland waterways and on civilian-crewed ships in the government fleet; state pilots; marine engineers; unlicensed seafarers; and maritime industry shore side clerical and service workers. In addition, it operates two training facilities: the Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies near Baltimore, Maryland; and the Pacific Northwest Maritime Institute, in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
. It operates 22 hiring halls in port cities across the continental United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
History
MM&P historical roots lie in a frustration felt by steamship pilots who were held accountable in marine casualties, but had no voice in safety policy. Banding together in New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1887, they formed the first local of the American Brotherhood of Steamship pilots. As more locals began to spring up, ship's masters
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
expressed interest in joining. Accommodating this desire, in 1891, the fledgling union changed its name to the American Association of Masters and Pilots of Steam Vessels. In 1900, it further expanded to encompass all deck officers, and changed its name to the American Association of Masters, Mates, and Pilots of Steam Vessels.
MM&P was active in the 1934 West Coast waterfront strike, joining the strike along with the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association
Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association
The Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association is the oldest maritime trade union in the United States still currently in existence, established in 1875. M.E.B.A. primarily represents licensed mariners, especially deck and engine officers working in the United States Merchant Marine aboard...
on 19 May 1934. The two unions continued together to join the Maritime Federation of the Pacific (MFP) in 1937. The alliance, however, was short-lived. In July 1938, MM&P, along with the Sailor's Union of the Pacific, and the Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders, and Wipers of the Pacific Coast
Marine Firemen's Union
The Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association often referred to as the Marine Firemen's Union is an American labor union of mariners working aboard U.S. flag vessels...
Union withdrew from the MFP.
In 1954, the union added Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
locals, and changed its name to the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots.
Buffeted by the historical battle between the American Federation of Labor
American Federation of Labor
The American Federation of Labor was one of the first federations of labor unions in the United States. It was founded in 1886 by an alliance of craft unions disaffected from the Knights of Labor, a national labor association. Samuel Gompers was elected president of the Federation at its...
's (AFL) Seafarer's International Union on one side and the Congress of Industrial Organizations
Congress of Industrial Organizations
The Congress of Industrial Organizations, or CIO, proposed by John L. Lewis in 1932, was a federation of unions that organized workers in industrial unions in the United States and Canada from 1935 to 1955. The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 required union leaders to swear that they were not...
's (CIO) National Maritime Union
National Maritime Union
The National Maritime Union was an American labor union founded in May 1937. It affiliated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations in July 1937...
(NMU) on the other, the MM&P removed itself from the battleground by becoming a branch of the International Longshoremen's Union in 1971. The link has sometimes been tenuous: some 17 years later, when NMU joined MEBA, MM&P very nearly followed suit.
See also
- American Maritime OfficersAmerican Maritime OfficersAmerican Maritime Officers is a national labor union affiliated with the Seafarers International Union of North America. With an active membership of approximately 4,000, AMO is the largest union of merchant marine officers in the U.S. and primarily represents licensed mariners working in the...
- National Maritime UnionNational Maritime UnionThe National Maritime Union was an American labor union founded in May 1937. It affiliated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations in July 1937...
- Marine Engineers' Beneficial AssociationMarine Engineers' Beneficial AssociationThe Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association is the oldest maritime trade union in the United States still currently in existence, established in 1875. M.E.B.A. primarily represents licensed mariners, especially deck and engine officers working in the United States Merchant Marine aboard...
- International Ship Masters' AssociationInternational Ship Masters' AssociationEstablished in 1886 as the Excelsior Marine Benevolent Association, in 1893 changed its name to Ship Masters' Association. This was a society among members of the profession, where in case of death of a member the widow or beneficiary would receive $100.00....
- Sailors' Union of the PacificSailors' Union of the PacificThe Sailors' Union of the Pacific founded on March 6, 1885 in San Francisco, California is an American labor union of mariners, fishermen and boatmen working aboard U.S. flag vessels....
- United States Merchant MarineUnited States Merchant MarineThe United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...