[1][4][3] The early roots of the union affiliation's formations dates back to the 1910 strike of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) No.

[1] This culminated in March 1914 when a joint committee was formed, the short lived Marine Officers’ Working Affiliation.

1 sent demands identical to MEBA to the exchange and, on June 19 the Harbor Boatmens Union requested to be included in the conference with MM&P.

Mediation and arbitration were also attempted by the US Department of Labor and New York State board but were unsuccessful.

[1] An agreement to use arbitration to decide wages was made on October 20, 1917, before the United States Shipping Board.

[1] The Lighter Captains then joined the affiliation shortly before arbitration, and were covered by the wage agreements reached on November 16, 1917.

It then resumed March 4 after workers rejected the National War Labor Board ruling and ended on April 20, 1919, after new terms had been offered by both public and private port employers.