The Maritime Union of Australia was formed in 1993 with the merging of several maritime unions, principally the Waterside Workers’ Federation of Australia and the Seamen’s Union of Australia. For a brief time Joint General Secretaries controlled the Union and the representation and responsibilities of the former Waterside Workers’ Federation and the Seamen’s Union were differentiated. Following the waterfront dispute of 1997-1998, however, the Maritime Union of Australia became consolidated as a single entity.