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Labor in the 1930s Bibliography
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Listed Under:

Shipbuilders

World War II

Notes:     This is the first major published work on the most important shipyard union of the 1930s and 1940s - the Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of America (IUMSWA), initially independent but later affiliated with the CIO. IUMSWA and the UE were the only independent unions brought into the CIO on its founding, and the IUMSWA preceded the UE in terms of its own founding. By World War II, this union had over 250,000 members (they claimed half a million) making it one of the largest CIO unions. Furthermore, more wartime workers were employed in shipbuilding than any other industry during WW II, making this union particularly important even if not all shipyard workers were in this union.

The particular yards covered in this history were ones most strategic to pre-World War II naval shipbuilding. President Roosevelt had an unusual interest in production in these yards and intervened directly in several strikes when production was threatened.

Annotative Remarks

We would very much appreciate any further notes regarding this work. Of particular interest would be any comment upon its usefulness as a teaching vehicle, if applicable, and its age-appropriate level, if below the college level. You may submit annotations via the form below or by email, to newdeal@feri.org.