Indiscipline on board of American merchant ships according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 26 January 1942

An item referred to the American naval observer at Suez, Egypt who reported that the indiscipline on board of American merchant ships there concerned him. Union delegates dictated the policies to the masters. Despite the threat of enemy air raids while lying at Suez went the majority of the crew members still ashore leaving the ships undermanned in case of emergency. Advanced interication and disturbances were common and the masters lacked effective disciplinary power. Crewmembers were not impressed of getting fines due to their extremely high wages and bonus gratuities. There were even rumors going on that the bonuses were even to be raised.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 47 dated 26 January 1942.