Mailbag
Fantastic Record
Molly Hadfield and Edith Morgan are the two old women with
fists raised on the front cover. They joined the Patrick picket at East Swanston
Dock and stood in front of the freight train.
Writer Wendy Lowenstein (Under the Hook) describes them in
her poem (on the CD) The Telephone Tree:
Alight with love,
strong in struggle,
two old women (with comrades)
the next and
not-to-be-forgotten day
defeat black cargo,
turn a train away.
Molly was quite overcome when I gave her the CD. She was absolutely
dumbfounded that her photo could be on the front cover. Unfortunately she hasn't
got a CD player but she was going to get her granddaughter to play it to her
the next time she sees her and she was going to ask her family to give her a
CD player for Xmas. She was so excited by it that she was just about jumping
up and down.
While Edith is not very well anymore, the nursing home that
she is in has been playing the CD for residents and is displaying the cover
next to her bed along with an article about Edith that was in the paper some
time ago.
With These Arms is a fantastic record of a very important struggle.
Meredith Lawrence
Melbourne
Sense of History
With These Arms is an excellent CD with it's sense of history,
social justice and pride.
I have been featuring a couple of tracks each week on my Sunday
program and the comments have included "..great to hear this type of material..",
"..generate some thinking around here..", to "Isn't that too
political (!)" and "..interesting perspective..".
At least one other fellow presenter loves its concept and ideology
also.
Sam Dye
'Global Warming'
Coral Coast Community Radio 94.7FM
Queensland
Great to Hear
It's a good CD. Have played about 10 tracks on Patchwork (ArtSound
Radio) so far. Great to hear Don Henderson again. And Bill Berry. I met him
when I lived up in Katoomba about 10 years ago.
Cheers
Brian Boylan
ArtSound Radio
CD Launch
On behalf of the Blue Mountains Unions Council I am writing
to express our gratitude and appreciation for the MUA's participation in the
Blue Mountains Unions Council Politics in the Pub event held in August at Gerins
Hotel Katoomba.
As you would be aware a major part of the event was the launch
of the MUA CD With These Arms. From all reports the event was a great success
and enjoyed by all who attended. Particular thanks goes to those MUA members
who travelled up to the hotel in a bus arranged by your union.
I look forward to collaborating with the MUA on future projects
and events. The Blue Mountains Unions Council will be holding May Day celebrations
this year which will include a Union Banner exhibition at a local gallery, a
May Day parade, and a May Day dinner. I will keep you informed of this event
as details become finalised in the New Year.
In solidarity,
Mark Lutherborrow
Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc.
Labour of Love
Thanks heaps for the CD on the MUA. A great job done. Interesting
to read the notes with the sleeve. Feels like it was a labour of love.
Mike Leyden
Devonport,
New Zealand
Proud Tradition
The importance of music in working class politics can not be
overstressed.
The number of musicians who appeared on the picket lines singing
cheerful ditties to keep up the enthusiasm of the locked out workers and their
supporters was fantastic. This CD is an essential part of preserving the history
of working class song and especially the songs from the proud tradition of the
seamen and wharfies. Congratulations.
Peter Hicks
Songwriter
Pelberata, Tasmania
Great Collection
Really enjoyed listening to the CD - great collection!
Margaret RoadKnight
Cooperoo,
Queensland
Journey Through Time
What is better on a rainy Saturday afternoon, than listening
to the CD With These Arms, sipping a beer? Making love, maybe... I'm not sure!!!
What a journey through time. The heritage of the maritime workers!
From pickets ( With These Arms), to ship repairing, passing
through the struggles against wars (Pig Iron Bob, Boonaroo..) onto the struggle
to build the union ( We are the union ).
It is a precious treasure of the poetry and songs from the
bottom of the heart of the people who live, work and fight. Dignity and respect
are their shout.
It was also so good to listen to the voice of Mark Gregory,
a friend of mine, and someone I communicate with through the internet, over
the sea!
This CD is a beautiful tribute to the maritime workers! Salutations
combatives et amicales.
Pierre Fournier
Montreal,
Canada
Japanese Apology
Many Japanese have forgotten what was done to Australians by
the Japanese army, including my self.
The poems (With These Arms) made me remember that we have to
apologise not only to Asian people but the Australian people.
Tetsurou Tanaka
Tokyo
Lodged in the Heart
Great songs and poems, some that instantly lodge in the heart.
A record not only of the struggle and victory of 1998 but one that shows the
historically radical, internationalist nature of the MUA. A history lesson,
inspiration, and solid performances of excellent material -- what more can be
asked of one CD?
Steve Harvey
Courtney,
Canada
On the Airwaves
As part of our distribution process, we survey a wide selection
of stations to confirm that CDs have been received, and we pass on any specific
reactions to your material.
Airplay for With These Arms was reported from Nambucca Valley
Radio / 2NVR ; Plenty Valley FM/ 3PVR (Folklore program - "good")
; 3UGE (Fairly Folk - "excellent") ; 4OUR (Amrap Show - "good")
and 8CCC (The Environment Show - "excellent").
The following stations reported that the CD had been passed
on to the appropriate programs : Eurobadalla Radio 107.5 / 2EAR ; 3WAY ; Noosa
FM / 4NSA and Radio Adelaide / 5UV.
Nicole Craig
Amrap Distribution Service
Pick Up Woes
I am writing to express my concern about certain companies
practice of picking up members off the data base up to two weeks prior to job
and obligating them to the employer without paying them until they join the
ship. I think we should be on wages from the time we are picked up and obligated
to the job or considered free agents and able to take other employment in the
interim if it becomes available.
Also in consideration is the practice of companies removing
people from the Database without their approval should cease. At the moment,
I am presently employed on the Alltrans and think all EBA's in the future should
have coverage in the support of a demand for payment of wages from the time
of pick up and obligation to the employer.
This letter has the full support of the crew on the M.V. Alltrans.
Ron Carr
Union No. 1714
Delegates
Catering Deck
Water Under the Keel
There is a lot of water under the keel between Tas Bull &
our families. I was godfather to his two children, Anders and Peder. A lot has
happened in our lives - but we were always there for each other. His untimely
death left a huge hole in my life and all who knew him.
I met Tas in January 1937 when we attended our first schooling
in Macquarie Street State School, and our last year in 1945 at the Hobart Technical
College. Late 1946 he asked me to go with him on the tanker MT Henry Dundas.
It was American owned and British crewed. A total disaster. He went as cabin
boy and I went as the galley boy at £5 a month plus war bonus. We were
on our way to Abadan, Iran. A big blue on the ship over conditions. We left
to return for Sydney, we we're bumped ashore in Bombay. Returned to Australia
and did not meet up till 1948 in London then back in 1951 when I returned home
and we sailed together in 1955 on the Goulbourn.
We soon joined the CPA. Getting involved with the working men's
struggle was so natural for us. When he went ashore about 1957 in Hobart, he
became a member of the Waterside Workers' Federation and Tas started to hit
his straps. He became one of the top union officials this country has seen.
From a mundane education he excelled in all he had done and was greatly respected.
So, our lives intertwined in all ways - at sea, ashore, whenever.
I hope his third book is printed as he wished it to be. I remember saying to
him not long ago - There are three types of people: those who are alive, those
who are dead, and those who went to sea. My lifelong comrade and close friend
did the lot.
Terrance G. Bouder (Tex)
Ex-S.U.A. No. 1071
Fine Tradition
As the recipient of the Terry Cahill Memorial Golf Day, I would
like to thank all those involved in organising the day, it was quite an overwhelming
and unexpected generous gesture. Thanks to the organising committee and especially
Jim Bourne for making the day such a success.
It makes one proud to be a life member of the Maritime Union
which has fine traditions of militancy and international solidarity.
At the present time we are experiencing the policies of one
of the most right wing governments this country has known. Its undeclared policy
of curtailing Australian shipping through its use of single voyage permits and
continuous voyage permits is slowly destroying our industry.
Its anti-union laws are designed to create a climate which
benefits the big corporations in their drive for maximum profit. Unions will
not be able to take action due to the threat of huge fines and penalties against
union officials that is contained in legislation now before the Senate.
The Maritime Union as part of the union movement is playing
its part in combating the insidious policies of the corporations and their government.
It has the experience and leadership to prevail in these difficult times. I
feel sure that we shall overcome.
Yours in solidarity,
T.A. Curphey
Life Member
Tremendous Effort
Kim and Dot (Circular Quay cashiers) would like to thank MUA
delegates and members for their part in organising and supporting the benefit
held at the Gallipolli Club for our workmates struck by cancer. What a tremendous
effort! Your donation and support is greatly appreciated.
Thank you and we carry your good wishes in our hearts.
Sincerely,
Kim & Dot
Sydney Ferries Cashiers
Survivor
Our Dad went to sea in 1921 or thereabouts at the age of 14
and we believe he was one of the youngest ever union delegates. He is probably
one of the last survivors of the WWF members who worked on the wharves during
the 50s and 60s.
Dad is now in his 96th year. He has many interesting stories
about his time as an able seamen on the wharves in Sydney and his work with
the unions and later with the St JOhn Ambulance Association.
As children we remember lively discussions around the dinner
table about Pig Iron Bob and his attempts to ban the Communist Party of Australia
among many other union matters after Dad had returned from a meeting. WE remember
the great Christmas party in the hall in Sussex Street and the wharfie family
picnics (with free ice cream, lollies and cakes) at Bronte.
On page 25 of you March/APril 2001 magazine there is a photo
of our father in conversation with Charlie Fitzgibbon and Harry Bridges. It
please Dad enormously.
Dad has been living independently for some years in Ryde, but
now, sadly he has had to enter the New Horizons aged care facility at North
Ryde.
Ms Llieda WIld (nee Jones) & Family
Eastwood
Appreciation
MUA Members MV Japonica wish to put on record their appreciation
for all that former SA branch secretary Keith Ridgeway has given to this union.
Comrade Ridgeway's contribution and willingness to come aboard
this vessel at anytime (weekends included) and report on the union's activities
and problems is testimony of his character. That commitment by Comrade Ridgeway
shows that he will always be respected as a true unionist by all members of
the MV Japonica and we wish him the very best for the future.
Delegates
Brian Stanley
Union No: 3956
Mark Glover
Union No: 4871
Well Done
Former Port Kembla &Townsville wharfie ' Dale Parker, who
was forced to leave the industry some years ago after major surgery for ewings
cancer left him shy of a hip, was recently awarded the Centenary of Federation
Medal for services to the community.
Dale who is now a councillor in Townsville has worked tirelessly
for Kids against Cancer and the Paralympic Committee. The recognition of his
efforts is well deserved.
The old adage 'you can`t keep a good man down' certainly applys
to Dale who continues to fly the flag for the worker and the disadvantaged in
our communities.
Congratulations comrade
Col Davies
Life member
MUA Brisbane
Full Support
We are sending a small message of congratulations on the decision
of the High Court over CSL. It appears the struggle will continue with the sale
of the Iron Chieftain. We continue to give you our full support.
Crew Iron Carpentaria
Laurie Bell
Caterers Delegate
Union No:. 2187
Very Proud
To the wonderful MUA. Thanks so much for making the launch
of Fighting Films such a success . I hope that you had a good time and I'm very
proud of what we've all - collectively - achieved. It was most important for
me to be able to deliver the history to Norma and Jock as well as the union
movement, and I was pleased to help celebrate their achievements.
Thanks for all your support in making the publication of the
book, and the launch itself, such a success. I look forward to buying a copy
of Russ Herman's video record of the afternoon - it was great! Best wishes.
Lisa Milner
Author
Fighting Films
Fascinating
Thank you for the invitation to Fighting Films book launch
and screening today. I heard a fascinating ABC program a little while ago about
the WWF and the Film Unit featured prominently. I was with New Theatre when
it was in the WWF Hall. I was about 19 years old and met a number of the people
who will probably be there on the day.
Best wishes
Noeline Brown
Love of the Sea
Thanks Paddy Crumlin for his great support for Gallipoli: The
Turkish Story. I was pleased, albeit tinged with sadness, to read that you gave
the first copy to Tas. Both he and the union per se have always had a deep interest
in preserving and presenting history.
One of the things I always liked best at the Maritime Museum
was the unique place it can hold in Australian life - the unions, the shipowners,
the boaties, the navy, even the beach bums can all find common ground within
the Museum through their common love of the sea. It is a very special bond.
Dr Kevin Fewster
Director
Powerhouse Museum
& InAugural Director
Maritime Museum
Terrorising the Electorate
The Howard Liberal National Government has gone into election
mode.
They will not fight this election on domestic issues such as
Medicare or education. They will try to revert to their old but successful campaigns
based on fear and terrorism, with border protection being one of the favourite
subjects.
The Howard Government has a policy of destroying our domestic
shipping industry by replacing Australian crewed vessels with cheap foreign
crews and flag of convenience rustbucket ships.
This in itself shows a huge inconsistency between wanting to
protect borders on the one hand and using cheap foreign ships to get the cheapest
cargo rates, despite their reputation of security breaches on the other.
This government has also stacked a third of the Australian
Navy on our northwestern borders chasing a handful of boat people who are not
a threat to Australia.
But in our ports there are 750 permits a year issued to FoC
ships to openly trade in our coastal waters with very little security checks.
If you're looking for a terrorist threat, there it is, courtesy of this Federal
Government. As major developed nations, particularly the US, are limiting FoC
ships access to their coastlines, Australia is doing the exact opposite.
The US has already commenced restricting access to ships coming
from high risk nations or manned by crews from high risk countries. This means
Australia will risk losing access to US markets due to the amount of permits
given out to FoC ships and foreign crews.
If the Federal Government was genuine in border protection
they would do what every other major developed country is doing. That is to
return our domestic shipping industry straight away, therefore reducing any
further risk of terrorism in Australia.
TollsStevedores
PortKembla
ChristianMackerras
Globalising Solidarity
I had the privilege of attending the International Transport
Workers' Federation Summer School in Port Elgin, Canada in August along with
MUA national training and development officer Eddie Seymour. This is the 6th
summer school set up to encourage more co-ordinated work between affiliates
in response to the rising wave of globalisation.
Forty participants from around the globe attended, including
union leaders, trainers and activists across the board of ITF affiliated unions.
Women represented almost 30 percent of the school.
With all this the exchange of knowledge and experience was
fast and furious with all participants learning from struggles in other corners
of the globe and in other industries.
The Canadian Automobile Workers and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation,
were the sponsors of the 2003 school with the CAW playing host and providing
us with an amazing education centre. The atmosphere for the week was intensified
with the addition of four other training groups at the centre from the CAW,
being two women activist's courses and two women leadership programmes.
The aim of this year's school was to integrate international
issues into the day-to-day work of unions, and to build the capacity of trade
unions at a local level.
The main focus was globalising solidarity. ITF's General Secretary
David Cockcroft outlined a campaign that recognises and expands on international
trade unions' response to globalisation. Sessions highlighted global trends
in the transport industry, restructuring and privatisation and the ITF's approach
since the 1998 Delhi Congress.
Guest speaker Mark Juhel from the transport division, World
Bank, faced tough questions from participants about the banks stance on the
privatisation of transport.
There were discussions on strategic alliances between trade
unions and the social movement leading to the sharing of experiences.
The four case studies covered the Patrick lockout, the Aerolineas
Argentines dispute, building trade union co-operation within SADC (Southern
Africa), and the inland waterways of Europe.
Strategic campaigning was covered with several mixed group
sessions focusing on issues that we were facing in our own countries. This was
an extremely animated day with some interesting strategies coming out. The lessons
learnt from our brothers and sisters was an integral part of the school. Some
of the most valuable exchanges of information took place during these times.
An issue that touched me deeply throughout this week was the
plight of the transport unions in South Africa, where basic things like education,
IT and organising are needed to build the trade union co-operation not only
in the SADC but throughout Africa. This is something that I am very passionate
about and would love to assist in some way.
The networking and the friendships forged during this week
will play a vital role in the future of all involved and it will help build
an effective internationalism network, as was presented by Bill Morris, T &
G, UK.
Effective networks come about so readily from trade union interaction
and the solidarity that was forged throughout the week and can only grow in
time, as we look back on this international bond that we now all share.
This week was an integral part of my learning process as a
union member, activist and delegate. I have gained great personal insight and
knowledge of the workings of the ITF and the international trade union movement.
From this I hope to strengthen the ties and the bonds that were forged throughout
the school and work more closely with our brothers and sisters in the international
trade union movement and move that one step closer to getting us, the workers,
a fair go!
I would like to express my appreciation for the chance to attend
this event. To all the members from the different vessels and areas that helped
get me over there -- I cannot thank you enough. It made me extremely proud to
attend this school knowing that I had the endorsement of so many wonderful comrades
out there. It shows how unique and strong our union is, and, comrades, we need
to grow stronger to achieve success in future battles. Solidarity is so important
in keeping the "MUA here to stay!!"
Karen Leavy
MUA Member,
Women's Delegate
and national councillor
Cross Pollination
Our New Zealand crew joined the Ocean Bounty - a semi submersible
drilling rig in 2002 and were phased out in July. We were picked up on rigs
by arrangement with MUA and NZSU. We spent an equal amount of time on the NZ
and Australian coastlines. This rounded out to three 28-day trips each.
This agreement was tangible evidence of the Tasman Maritime
Federation, born and nurtured from the Mining and Maritime Global Solidarity
Conference held in Newcastle in September 2002.
The opportunity for cross-pollination of rank and file members
to work together was an experience that proved seafarers have common interests
no matter which port or country we sail out of.
Maritime officials from both countries have spliced together
solidarity between NZ and Australian seafarers. This will lead to both sides
of the Tasman tackling issues such as employment, cabotage, international relations,
the fledgling Timor union movement, port security as well as building the profile
of the International Transport Workers' Federation.
Our time on the Ocean Bounty showed how well organised the
Australian crew were in setting up the working arrangements in a fine seafaring
manner. Regular meetings were held and the delegate system was in place ensuring
our working conditions were upheld. The rolling fund was also significant and
money was donated to those in need.
On behalf of the New Zealand crew we would like to convey our
best wishes to all our fellow shipmates and to keep the flag flying high.
Haere Ra
Bill Lewis - MUNZ
Nelson, New Zealand
Thanks Crew
The crew of MV Le Basee would like to thank MUA members for
allowing us to work in Australia. It has been a good experience for us all.
We have met lots of great people and real unionists. A special thanks to Chris
Cain for all his help and assistance. We wish him well in his new job. Hope
he can find time to visit New Zealand in the future. Once again Comrades, thanks
for everything.
Dunca Murray
MUNZ Delegate 1165
United We Stand
Through the pages of the Journal the crew of Victorian Reliance
would like to thank the delegates and wharfies at Toll Webb Dock Terminal and
Toll Burnie for their support and solidarity during the recent fiasco on board
this vessel, also the MUA members on Tasmanian Achiever for their support. United
We Stand. MUA Here to Stay!
Delegates
Victorian Reliance
Great Tour
My husband Joe and I were on our way to visit our son Josh
in San Diego and to celebrate the birth of our newest grandson Isaiah. On the
way there we called in to meet the guys of the Longshore & Warehouse Union
(Local 13) in Long Beach California. What a great bunch of people, so friendly
and eager to learn more about the MUA.
We were taken on a great tour of the container berths in LA.
We went up into a hammerhead crane, it was so high (I was somewhat apprehensive),
but Joe loved it, driving a crane! After a full day of touring round all the
local sights and a great lunch at the beach, we were off to a night at the Baseball
with the Union President Joe de Nato and his daughter Jenny. We enjoyed our
time with our American comrades, after swapping T-shirts and pins. We spent
the night in a superb hotel next door to the Queen Mary, which (of course) we
visited the next day. We will always remember the good time we were shown by
Local 13 and we will certainly visit them the next time we go to see Josh, Tara,
Jay-Henry and Isaiah in San Diego.
Lorraine & Joe Ryan
Member No. 4000376 & No. 7877
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