D626 - National Union of Seamen, papers of - 1940-1990
National Union of Seamen records regarding disputes between the Union and the Cunard Steamship Company. Comprises correspondence, meeting minutes, pay ratings, agreements, leaflets, news clippings of major incidents affecting the two organisations, and other related papers.
One of the main...
| Archive level description: | Sub-fonds |
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| Physical Description: | 12 boxes. |
| Subjects: |
| Summary: | National Union of Seamen records regarding disputes between the Union and the Cunard Steamship Company. Comprises correspondence, meeting minutes, pay ratings, agreements, leaflets, news clippings of major incidents affecting the two organisations, and other related papers. One of the main disputes covered in these papers is over Cunard's intention to convert both the Cunard Countess and Cunard Princess, two of their vessels, to a Flag of Convenience (FOC). Converting to a Bahamian flag would thereby exempt Cunard from certain British shipping regulations. The principle concession was that Cunard would then be able to employ foreign crews, a move that was contrary to the interests of the NUS. The other disputes covered predominantly concern pay levels, working conditions, and redundancy payments for the NUS staff employed by Cunard. The majority of records date from the 1980s.
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| Date: | 1940-1990 |
| Reference Number: | D626 |
| Access Conditions: | Some items are closed access. |
| Arrangement: | Original order unclear. At time of deposit a basic order was produced, this has been maintained. |
| Custodial History: | Transferred to the University of Liverpool in March 1994 from the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick. |
| Related Material: | Other National Union of Seaman papers are held at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick. |
| Biographical/Administrative Information: | The NUS was founded in 1893 as the National Sailor's and Fisherman's Union, the successor to the National Amalgamated Sailor's and Fireman's Union of Great Britain and Ireland, founded in 1887 on the initiative of J H Wilson. In 1922 a Cook's and Steward's Section was formed and Hull Seamen's Union, the oldest and strongest of the local societies, was absorbed. The present title was adopted in 1926. The relationship between Cunard and the NUS is long standing and there has been continual negotiation between the two regarding the working conditions of staff and other matters. |