Consists of material collected by Robert Durkin during his years in the Masters, Mates and Pilots. Durkin was extensively involved in union politics and as a result the bulk of the collection deals with administrative and election related topics; the material in the collection both implicitly and explicitly helps to detail the struggle for survival that labor has engaged in during the 20th century. In the case of the Masters, Mates and Pilots, it deals with how both automation and modernization have impacted the maritime industry. Materials include minutes, membership material, contracts and negotiations for Masters, Mates and Pilots, Local 90, files on the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, shipyard rules from 1863 and 1868, articles on maritime associations, pension and welfare funds and health and safety issues.

The first box of the collection contains personal material including an array of commendations and licenses, and correspondence on both personal and union related matters. The first box also contains material related specifically to the International and the Locals, particularly Local 90. The second box contains material related to specific locals as well as the Offshore Division. However the bulk of the second box contains material related to more general maritime and union topics, including information on worker safety issues and practices, maritime associations, various legal files, and research materials. The final two folders in the second box contain numerous clippings related to both specific Masters, Mates and Pilots' issues and also to more general issues.

Materials related to the Exxon Valdez disaster in Prince William Sound in March of 1989 include documents created by Durkin in relation to the accident and also research materials including the legislation that was produced as a result. The captain of the ship was a member of the Masters, Mates and Pilots and the Union offered a slightly different interpretation of the events than those put forth in the media.