In late August, several months after being ousted in a government coup, the legitimately elected SINTRAJAP longshore union leaders in Costa Rica were reinstated by Costa Rica’s high court. The Maritime Union of Australia published the news:
Paddy Crumlin, ITF president, chair of the ITF dockers section and MUA national secretary wrote to SINTRAJAP General Secretary Ronaldo Blear Blear earlier this year. He expressed outrage on behalf of the dockworkers of the world at the Patrick style attack on the union and its members, pledging international support.
On hearing of the breakthrough MUA Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith congratulated the ILWU on this important first step in the struggle to maintain the democratic rights of Costa Rican dockworkers.
“Forward to victory together,” he wrote. “All the best in struggle.”