In September 2015, the SIU filed 42 lawsuits alleging that the Government of Canada was issuing work permits to the foreign crews of hundreds of foreign ships engaging in shipping in Canadian waters, despite the availability of qualified Canadian seafarers to serve on these vessels, which is contravention of immigration laws.

The Federal Court granted SIU's judicial review applications and set aside 11 work permits for the crew of the New England.

The SIU was successful in reaching a settlement of the remaining outstanding 44 lawsuits with Employment and Social Development Canada.

In April 2017, then SIU Canada President, James Given, appeared as a witness to testify before the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade on their study of CETA.

In these productive meetings, President Given received assurance that changes under CETA will in no way allow EU shipowners to bypass the Temporary Foreign Workers Program, which would allow feeder services to operate between Montreal and Halifax.