Mining and Maritime

A comprehensive program for union action on a global level was adopted by the

More than 350 national and international union representatives pledged to work together on a national, regional and global basis to defend workers' rights globally by "robust and decisive action".

The significance of this pledge was soon highlighted by coordinated international union action to stop arms shipments reaching the Zimbabwe military and against the US occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Sydney conference was held against the backdrop of recent successful international actions such as UK, Norwegian and NZ union support for the crew of the Australian customs vessel Triton, and global pressure that helped prevent the Maritime Union of New Zealand being locked out of the port of Napier.

The Conference commenced with a Welcome to Country by Aboriginal elder Silvia Scott and internationally recognised Aboriginal dance group Descendance. It was formally opened by Maxine McKew, the member for Bennelong, who famously ended John Howard's political career.

Keynote speakers included Ken Neumann, National Director of USW Canada; Henrik Berlau, Secretary 3F; ACTU and International Trade Union Confederation President Sharan Burrows; ITF General Secretary David Cockcroft; Manfred Warda of ICEM; Tony Maher. General President of the CFMEU and Paddy Crumlin, MUA national secretary.

A global education and support groups panel launched the DITSELA education pamphlets which can be used to promote international solidarity to rank and file members around the world. Copies are available from all participating unions and the M&M website.

Contributions also came from Mich-Elle Myers of the MUA and Judy Gray of the CFMEU on the role of women in campaigning. Veterans were represented by Fred Krausert of the MUA Veterans' Association and Tom McMahon, a survivor of the 1929 Rothbury lockout.

MUA and CFMEU marginal seats organisers outlined their work for the world-renowned Your Rights at Work Campaign. John Maitland gave a report on continuing human rights violations in Myanmar (Burma).

Greg Combet, the member for Charlton addressed the conference dinner.

The second day focussed on the way forward for the Mining and Maritime initiative and the regions.

Delegates to the Sydney M&M Conference represented unions in the mining, maritime, manufacturing, road and rail transport, energy and construction industries from Australia, New Zealand, Germany, South Africa, USA, Japan, England, Switzerland, East Timor, Canada, Vanuatu, United Kingdom, Denmark, Belgium, Papua New Guinea and Sweden.

The Mining & Maritime initiative is now sponsored and funded by eight unions namely the Construction, Forestry Mining and Energy Union (Mining and Energy, the International Longshore Workers' Union, National Union of Miners (UK), South African Transport and Allied Workers Union, Maritime Union of NZ, United Steel Workers union (USA) and the Teamsters (USA).

On behalf of the M&M international committee, Rick Newlyn of the MUA and Peter Murray of the CFMEU delivered an overview of the initiative from Newcastle to Long Beach and finally to Sydney, and reported on the work of the international, regional and national committees since 2002. A copy of this report can be obtained by contacting Dallas at the MUA National Office (612) 9267 9134.

At the conclusion of the conference, the Sydney Declaration was passed (opposite) setting out a comprehensive action plan for the next two years with an objective of holding the next conference in South Africa in 2010 - but only after significant progress has been made on the action plan.

Photos of the M & M Conference and dinner can be viewed and ordered at www.eventpix.com.au/maritime