Solidarity with the Maritime Union of Australia and uniting to fight the Howard/Reith government were the key themes of May Day marches around Australia last week.
The marches were bigger and broader than in recent years, clearly due to the heightened consciousness amongst workers about the importance of unions. Thanks to Peter Reith and Chris Corrigan, the union movement is stronger today than when Patrick Stevedores locked the MUA members out of their jobs on April 7.
The biggest rally was in Sydney on May 3 where more than 6000 marched in the rain. Jon Lamb reports that Women of the Waterfront led the march, followed by a contingent of 1000 members and supporters of the MUA. It was clear from the large contingents that many unions had mobilised their members for the day. Big contingents from the Latin American and Iraqi communities also participated.
John Coombs, MUA national secretary, gave an inspiring speech, saying that not in its wildest dreams had the MUA expected such widespread support. The union is receiving over $1000 per day in donations and Coombs made a special point of thanking everyone for their support.
The biggest applause came when Coombs called for the Liberal Party government to be brought down. He made it clear that this struggle is not just about the MUA, but about all the other struggles against individual contracts that are ignored by the media. He hinted that the MUA campaign needs to be extended to cover all workers suffering under the Workplace Relations Act.
The Sydney march finished appropriately at the Darling Harbour picket line, once known as the Hungry Mile because it is the site of many significant workers' struggles.
Other speakers included a representative of Christians in Solidarity with Wharfies, who expressed solidarity with the MUA for "as long as it takes".
From Adelaide, Rob Graham reports that the 3000-strong march on May 2 was considerably bigger than last year. As well as a good representation of unions, community groups such as Australian Aid for Ireland and Celebrating Diversity participated.
Rick Newlyn, deputy secretary of the MUA in SA captured the spirit of the crowd when he said, "We've got them [Patrick] on the ropes at the moment and we're not going to let them off". He said he was overwhelmed by the amount of support for the MUA.
Another highlight was the reading of a solidarity message from Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Féin. Adams thanked Australian workers, particularly MUA members, for their long history of support for the Irish freedom struggle, and said that now was the time to reciprocate by supporting the MUA.
In Wollongong, 1000 people showed their resoluteness by marching on May 2, despite the pouring rain. Andrew Hall reports that "twice as many marched this year in Wollongong. Strong union contingents, as well as community campaigns, were represented".
From the platform, Paul Matters, secretary of the South Coast Labour Council, and Mark Armstrong, secretary of the MUA in southern NSW, highlighted the need for unity of unions, community groups and parties to fight the Howard government.
More than 3000 marched in Melbourne on May 3, with several hundred MUA member and supporters leading the march, reports Jeremy Smith. Other large contingents came from the meatworker, construction, plumbing, metalworker and public transport unions.
Big contingents also came from the Kurdish and Turkish communities and groups such as the Werribbee Residents Against Toxic Dumps and Save Albert Park were represented. Smith said that while the march was bigger than usual, the union movement has mainly focussed on organising the statewide day of action in solidarity with the MUA and against the Workplace Relations Act on May 6.
Alex Bainbridge from Hobart reports that it is 10 years since the last May Day march there. People were inspired to organise a march on May 2 this year after the success of a Defend the Wharfies march a fortnight ago.
Despite pouring rain, 200 people turned out for a lively march in Newcastle on May 2, reports Alison Dellit. The biggest contingents came from the MUA, CFMEU and AMWU. The rally ended with a pledge: "We pledge that we will be here to support the MUA as long as the struggle takes."
The ACT Trades and Labour Council organised two May Day events in Canberra — a Defend the Wharfies rally on May 1 and a May Day march on May 2. Russell Pickering reports that both events were successful, with the May 1 rally attracting 500 people and the May 2 march attracting 300.
A wide range of unions attended both rallies, the strongest contingents being from the education, health and public sectors. The main community group represented was Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation.
Speakers at the May 1 rally included Sean Chaffer, assistant secretary of the MUA (NSW branch); Richard Randerson, Anglican Bishop for Canberra; Colleen Duff from the Australian Nurses Federation; and Derek Corrigan, a delegate in the AMWU and brother of Chris Corrigan.
Randerson, whose Canberra parish extends into the rural region surrounding Canberra, pointed out that the interests of workers and farmers are not contradictory. A former resident of New Zealand, he said he had seen how New Zealand's anti-worker legislation had been used to crush workers' rights and he didn't want to see it happening here.
A keynote speaker at the May 2 rally was Stephanie Mayman, assistant secretary of the WA Trades and Labour Council. She explained how the trade union movement had campaigned successfully against the anti-worker "third wave" industrial relations legislation in WA last year. "The government hasn't been able to enforce its legislation", she said, "and the union movement hasn't any intention of obeying it".
Other May Day events included a march of 150 people in Ipswich and a rally 200 in Parramatta. Brisbane and Darwin May Day activities will be held on May 4.