Intraunion conflict: the changing marine engineer

In this paper we describe the shift in membership of the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association (MEBA), the major us marine engneer labour union, and the problems asssociated with this change. The problematic nature of this change is examined by describing the changing membership of MEBA: demonstrating a relationship between the occupational socialzation of members prior to entering the union and their behaviour as members; and by explaining how the actions of MEBA led to the creation of the problem and the policy it implemented to alleviate the sitution. Data are gathared from participant observation, interviews with union officials and marine engineers. Implications for the formation of sentient groups are discussed.