alternatehistory.com

In the late 60s the United States lines and the maritime unions came to an agrement like the Chicago Northwestern Rail road. The Company sold a 49% share of the company to the Unions. Would that Stop the strikes that crippled the SS United States, as Well as other American owned ships? At one point the unions did offer concessions but too late as the ship was already withdrawn from service. Would that of stopped the decline of American flagged ships? Or would the lines continue the trend of going to flags of convenience?
As history has shown most of the US flagged ships were either withdrawn, or reflagged to get lower labor costs. Just before the United States was taken out of service in 1969, For example If a Passanger orderd something from room service late at night, the steward would of been paid for 4 hours of overtime. For a simple sandwich would of cost the company $30 ( in 1969 dollars)because of labor cost. Another instance is one union would go on strike and the trip would be canceled even though the strike was not against the United States lines but the ships crew unions would not cross the longshoremen strike.
Just wondering what your thoughts are.
Thanks
Top