A Working Waterfront
At the heart of the San Francisco waterfront are the maritime workers - the ferryboat deckhands, longshore workers, deep-sea sailors, cooks, cleaners, and engineers who move
goods and people across the bay and around the world.
Deckhands, engineers and boat captains begin work before sunrise-readying ferryboats for the daily commute.
Ferries have been an important form of transit in
the bay for over a hundred and fifty years. Ferry
service declined following the construction of the
Bay Bridge, then revived after the 1989 Loma
Prieta earthquake, and has continued to grow with
the expanding population. Represented by the
Inlandboatmen's Union and the Masters, Mates and
Pilots, San Francisco maritime workers are known for
their powerful, member-run unions. In 1934, sailors
and longshoremen struck for fair hiring practices and
safe working conditions. San Francisco maritime
unions continue to play an important role in both
local and international politics.
(sidebar not transcribed)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Labor Unions • Waterways & Vessels.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. An Era of Dramatic Change (a few steps from this marker); The Jimmy Doolittle Pier Alameda Naval Air Station (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alameda: Bay Area Aviation Center (approx. 0.4 miles away); Douglas SBD Dauntless (approx. 0.6 miles away); Vought A-7A Corvair II (approx. 0.6 miles away); Grumman J2F Duck (approx. 0.6 miles away); Grumman F6F Hellcat (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pan Am China Clipper (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alameda.
More about this marker. The marker is located on the Alameda Point Shoreline trail right by the ferry facility.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
