In their words

The theme for the ITF Congress in August was "Organising globally, fighting for our rights".

MARK LANG

Maritime Wharf, Patrick, Brisbane, Qld, has been a union delegate eight years. This is his first overseas delegation and his first trip out of Australia other than to New Zealand:

"Whether as wharfies or seafarers our commitment to the ITF is most important for the solidarity of all unions. Organising globally is about unionists worldwide standing by each other and fighting for each other, our families and our children."

SCOTT CARTER

Toll, Port Kembla (photo?): "Organising globally keeps everyone under the one banner. The more people you have the better result you get. You have to stand out and be counted, that's why I put my hand up to learn more about the ITF and broaden my horizons so I can be a more a more effective, active delegate. With the new IR laws here it's more important now than ever that we all stick together as one and have the same goals. If it's impossible to organise effectively locally, we have to go beyond national boundaries to win."

JACK McCABE

Kwinana, WA, desalination plant, delegate rigger and barge dogman: "The multinationals are globalising so it's only smart we're globalising with other unions.

"It's important rank and file workers are going on international delegations because ultimately we are the ones who will get the message out to the workers, when we get back - let them know we are not alone and there are other people out there suffering who have the same problems as us. As a delegate I get to talk to foreign seafarers and hear their stories about their food and conditions and lack of pay. Everyone has the right to fair day's pay and to come home safe and look after your family. Anything I can do to help fellow seafarers anywhere in the world I will do. We have to look after each other. We're doing it globally, so workers aren't singled out."

MICHAEL MARKETO

Port Botany wharfie P&O (DP World), Sydney:

"It's got to be an international movement. We've got to be solid. The way these guys are buying each other out and strengthening themselves, we've got to do the same. The union officials have been building the bridges and we're crossing them. We've got to bring the word back about what is happening globally, what people are doing in other ports to help us and what we can do to help them."

MICH-ELLE MYERS

Patrick, Port Botany wharfie, Sydney:

"Listening to our brothers and sisters speak during Congress one thing became perfectly clear. The accents and the language may be different and the faces may not resemble our own, but the stories are the same. Bosses the world over are smashing our rights. Treating workers with no respect, diminishing pay and conditions and rejecting the right for union representation is not just a Howard Government story it is happening everywhere."

JODIE LARKINS

seafarer, Spirit of Tasmania, Melbourne (photo of all 4 women):

"The women's conference made history as the first ever such conference to play a full constitutional part at ITF Congress. Speakers called on women to step up the fight for equality in the workplace, in their unions and in civil society at large."

LYNDA SHAW

deckhand and trainer, Sydney Ferries:

"The women's conference was a powerful and eye opening experience"

JULE ANSELL

TT Line call centre, Devonport:

"The knowledge we gained from Congress was invaluable as too are the contacts we made to ensure that global solidarity and fighting for our rights are more than just slogans but a realisation."

ROBERT COOMBS

Sydney Branch Secretary: "The election of the MUA national secretary to two key positions reflects the high esteem and regard that the international trade union movement holds for the MUA. It is also a reflection of the great respect that the trade union movement has for the MUA's commitment and dedication."

PERCY WHITE (Victoria) and BUDDY DURAND (WA) veterans

"Congress was an impressive, grand example of international collaboration and goodwill, exemplifying unity in a pursuit of a common set of objectives - the betterment of lives and working conditions of all men and women, and their families, who are involved in many modes of transport around the globe. The MUA delegation was large in numbers and very active, with a blend of experience, youth and enthusiasm among its ranks."

ALLEN WATTAM WA:

"Listening to the more than 1400 delegates it was quite obvious what challenges lie ahead for workers worldwide. The multinationals, governments and employers will do everything in their power to undermine union organization in our workplaces."

JIM BOYLE

Newcastle Branch Secretary: "I've been on plenty of trips but none like this. It's the first time we've got out as a group and got to mix with people. I have been to plenty of conferences and usually the minute you finish you jump on a plane and fly back. This way we got to understand the world climate a lot better. We got to know the people. Going to the Apheda supported schools and speaking to SATAWU was really something. Everyone made us exceptionally welcome. The minute they found out we were trade unionists from Australia, they'd start chanting and singing. All the blokes gave a union chant as we walked by them in recognition of how important it was to them us being there. They all knew we were the MUA. As far as unions go, we all recognised that what we're up against is a global problem and needs a global effort from all of us."

LEN COVELL

Deputy Secretary, Newcastle: "What impressed me was, after all those years of apartheid and short time of democracy and all their problems, their innate optimism. The people have great resilience. They are really doing it tough with unemployment and Aids. But they are handling it. They realise it will be a couple of generations before they are

out of it.

"For me it's very difficult to get your head around the breadth of the International Transport Workers' Federation until you see it in action. Congress was an education in itself. There wasn't a representation made by any delegate - road, airlines, seafaring or docks - from any country that was any different to our own. The threats they face, we face. Government responses are all the same whether in Britain, the US or India."

MICK CANNING

Fremantle Ports: "Seeing the struggles of the South African people was a real eye opener. I'm 35 years old and I've never really had to struggle for my wages and conditions. It was all done for me by those that came before. The South African people have a daily battle to just live. Life is struggle - money, housing, having something to eat.

"The highlight of the trip was our WA delegation got to sign up as a sister port with the Durban branch of the Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU). Something like 75 per cent of trade from Fremantle is with the MSC shipping line and their biggest trade is with Durban. We're going to build on that alliance with the union there. If we are in trouble here in Fremantle, and if they are in strife over there, we can help each other. We are going to build on the relationship. I email them once a week just to say 'Hi' and touch base. Congratulations to Ian Bray for organising that and a big thanks to the MUA to giving me the opportunity to go there and realise what struggle really is."

RAY NOLAN

Dubai Ports, Adelaide wharfie training to be IR: "It was my first international delegation and it was even better than I imagined. I found out a lot more about how the ITF works and how it's all global not local. What the Howard Government is doing here they are doing all over the world. But South Africa is different. They have better IR laws than we have here. They have the right to strike, the right to boycott. The government supports unions. Their transport minister came to Congress and said they were right behind us. That's something we're lacking at

the moment.

"The other thing that struck me was the way other trade unions hold the MUA in such high regard for helping people around the world. They just couldn't get enough of us. If you help other seafarers, they think a lot of you."

DAVE SCHLIEBS

Deputy Branch Secretary, Victoria: "It was important for our guys to go and see how bad they are doing it over there. The kids. Seeing how little they had and how happy they were. What I got out of it most was seeing how the rank and file delegates reacted. It was very quiet on the way back in the bus. There was an eerie feeling. Everyone was deep in thought, thinking, "What can we do? How we can help them?"

NEVILLE BONNEY

MUA Delegate Burnie, Tasmania: "It was my first delegation and SATAWU was host. It was great. I've been a volunteer ITF inspector for a while so I know a bit about the ITF. But Congress was huge. It was a real eye opener, especially the visit to the Apheda projects - seeing the kids with Aids. It was heartbreaking. The children turn up to school, knowing they'll be fed. A bowl of soup and some bread is their only food for the day. If the school has spare bread on Friday they let the children take some home for the weekend, knowing it is possibly the only food for them and their parents. Poverty is widespread. The words of the principals will remain embedded in my mind: 'You can't educate hungry children.'"