Strife on the Waterfront
The Port of New York Since 1945
📘 About This Book
USA. Monograph examining labour relations, trade unionisation and collective bargaining activities of dockers employed in the port of new york in the period from 1945 to 1971 - covers interunion conflict, strike occurrence, grievance and dispute settlement, the impact of automation on cargo handling techniques culminating in the advent of containerization, issues such as the 'shape-up', seniority and guaranteed wages, the role of the waterfront commission in regulating recruitment, etc. Bibliography pp. 457 to 471 and references.
📖 Summary
Strife on the Waterfront, written by Vernon H. Jensen and published in 1974, provides a comprehensive and rigorous examination of labor relations, trade unionization, and collective bargaining activities within the bustling port of New York spanning from 1945 to 1971. As a significant contribution to the field of political science and industrial relations, the 488-page monograph delves deeply into the complex and often turbulent world of dockworker employment during a transformative era of American economic history. Jensen meticulously details the intense interunion conflicts that plagued the waterfront, the frequent occurrence of strikes that disrupted national commerce, and the intricate mechanisms established for grievance and dispute settlement. At the heart of the book is the evolution of the waterfront work environment, shaped heavily by technological advancements and shifting socioeconomic demands. Jensen captures the profound impact of automation on cargo handling techniques, a progression that ultimately culminated in the revolutionary advent of containerization. This monumental shift transformed the very nature of dock work, displacing traditional labor patterns and forcing unions, employers, and regulators to adapt to a vastly modernized port industry. Alongside technological disruption, the author addresses enduring structural issues that defined port labor, such as the notorious shape-up system of hiring, the establishment of formalized seniority rules, and the ongoing struggle for guaranteed wages for longshoremen. Furthermore, the book evaluates the crucial role played by the Waterfront Commission in regulating recruitment and maintaining order in an industry historically vulnerable to corruption and instability. By chronicling decades of negotiations, government interventions, and labor disputes, Jensen paints a vivid picture of the delicate balance of power between labor unions, shipping companies, and public authorities. Researchers and readers seeking a deeper understanding of this historical landscape will also benefit from the extensive bibliography spanning pages 457 to 471, alongside thorough references that ground the study in empirical documentation. Strife on the Waterfront remains an essential resource for understanding the mechanics of collective bargaining and the profound socioeconomic challenges of port labor administration.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Provides an exhaustive historical account of New York port labor relations.
Offers deep insight into the economic and operational impacts of containerization.
Includes a comprehensive bibliography and reference section for further research.
Thoroughly analyzes the regulatory function of the Waterfront Commission.
⚠️ Cons
The dense academic focus may be overly detailed for casual readers.
The scope is restricted primarily to the port of New York.
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Strife on the Waterfront? +
The book was written by Vernon H. Jensen.
When was the book published? +
It was published in 1974.
What time period does the book cover? +
It covers the period from 1945 to 1971.
What geographic port is the primary focus of the book? +
The port of New York is the primary focus of the study.
How many pages long is the monograph? +
The book spans 488 pages, including an extensive bibliography.
