members, and the union negotiated with companies to maintain the job security of Australian maritime workers. Amalgamation During its long history the SUA underwent several amalgamations to increase its coverage of maritime workers, particularly as the size of the workforce decreased due to automation and the use of flag of convenience vessels. The Marine Cooks Bakers and Butchers Association (formed in 1908) amalgamated with the Seamen's Union of Australia in 1983, and the Federated Marine Stewards and Pantrymen's Association merged in 1988. In 1991 the Professional Divers' Association also amalgamated with the SUA, before it joined with the Waterside Workers' Federation to become the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) in 1993. Federal Secretaries Arthur Cooper 1906–1918 Tom Walsh 1918–1922 William Raeburn 1922–1926 Jacob Johnson 1926–1937 (imprisoned for 4 months for inciting a 1922 strike) W. J. Daley 1937–1941 Eliot V. Elliott 1941–1978 Patrick Geraghty 1978–1991 Further reading Cahill, Rowan, Sea Change: An Essay In Maritime Labour History, Bowral, 1988. Fitzpatrick, Brian and Rowan J. Cahill, The Seamen's Union of Australia 1872–1972: A History,, Sydney: Seamen's Union of Australia, 1981. . Kirkpatrick, Diane, Voices From the Ships: Australia's Seafarers and their Union, Sydney: UNSW Press, 2008. . References Defunct trade unions of Australia Seafarers' trade unions Trade unions established in 1890 Trade unions disestablished in 1993 Maritime history of Australia