The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) is a division of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) that represents stevedores, seafarers, offshore oil and gas workers, professional divers and shore staff associated with these industries. The MUA was formed in 1993 following the merger of the Seamen's Union of Australia and the Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia. On 29 February 2016, at the MUA’s National Conference, delegates voted unanimously in favour of the proposed merger. The Fair Work Commission approved the merger in March 2018. The amalgamated union was named the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union, although the MUA continues to exist as a constituent division and retains the name "Maritime Union of Australia".

History

Waterside Workers' Federation

thumb|300px|An early banner of the Sydney Branch of the Waterside Workers' Federation.

The Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia traces its roots to the formation on the Australian waterfront in September 1872 of two unions in Sydney, the Labouring Men's Union of Circular Quay and the West Sydney Labouring Men's Association, which merged ten years later to form the Sydney Wharf Labourers' Union. In 1884 the Melbourne Wharf Labourers' Union was formed with the support of Melbourne Trades Hall representatives, after shipowners refused to allow waterfront workers to attend Eight-hour Day celebrations. With Federation in 1901 and the impending introduction of an arbitration system, the national Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia was formed in 1902 under the leadership of Billy Hughes.

The Communist Party of Australia was formed in October 1920, and achieved some influence in the trade union movement, especially in New South Wales. Though its influence had dwindled to an insignificant sect by the mid-1920s, it kept positions in particular trade unions, including the Waterside Workers' Federation. The union was regarded as militant and disruptive to the economy, and has suffered numerous attempts to suppress its activities. In 1928, the Nationalist government of Stanley Bruce enacted the Transport Workers Act 1928 requiring workers to have a licence, known as the "dog collar", to work on the wharves. Employment of non-union labour and members of the Permanent & Casual Wharf Labourers Union almost killed off the Waterside Workers' Federation.

In 1950 the WWF absorbed its industrial opposition the Permanent & Casual Wharf Labourers Union of Australia and in 1991 it amalgamated with the Australian Foremen Stevedore Association but retained the name Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia.

Seamen's Union

The Federated Seamens Union of Australasia (SUA) was formed in 1876 by the amalgamation of the Sydney Seamen's Union and the Melbourne Seamen's Union, adopting the name Seamen's Union of Australia in 1906.

From December 1935 to February 1936 there was a long strike against an unsatisfactory award and poor working conditions. The strike failed, and the union was left divided and crippled.

Major modern day disputes

1998 waterfront dispute

In 1998 the Maritime Union of Australia was involved in a waterfront dispute when Patrick Corporation attempted to sack 1400 waterfront workers across Australia and introduce non-union contract labour.

2015 Hutchison Ports dispute

On 6 August 2015, just before midnight, Hutchison Ports, located in Sydney and Brisbane, sacked 97 workers by text message and email – 57 in Sydney and 40 in Brisbane. This led to one of the longest running community assemblies in modern times.

Politics

Influence with the Rudd government

In 2009 the union ran a campaign entitled Time for a Sea Change in Australian Shipping calling on the government to revitalise Australian shipping by giving tax incentives for the industry to invest in new ships, providing training for new seafarers, and introducing pro-union laws.

Notes

References

  • A History of Struggle on the Wharves (Workers Online)
  • Chart of Maritime and Stevedoring Unions