The Maritime Union of Australia Sydney Branch wholeheartedly stands in solidarity with our ILWU Sisters and Brothers. The relationship between our two Unions stretches back decades and has been one built on a united effort to maintain and advance the working and living conditions of dockworkers in our respective countries and around the world.
We have stood on each other’s picket lines and acted in global solidarity to ensure the lives of dockworkers, their families and the communities in which we live are protected from the ruthless attempts of employers to undermine our quality of life, and the decency and justice we have built in our workplaces.
The PMA understand the strength of the ILWU and will use any effort to divide West Coast longshore workers and turn the hostility of the people away from themselves through lies, smears and vicious propaganda. This attempt will not work, the unity of the ILWU will not be broken. Dock workers internationally recognise the importance of the ILWU in the global fight for justice and decency and will fight alongside you all the way until resolution of your current struggle is achieved.
In Australia on our docks we are confronting increasing hostility from employers and conservative governments demanding we give back conditions of employment that have been fought for through bitter struggle and sacrifice. The respect we have for our heritage will ensure that any attempt to weaken us will only serve as a tool to strengthen our conviction and steadfastness to our cause.
We stand in solidarity with the ILWU, together in struggle workers will never be defeated.
In Solidarity,
Paul McAleer
Branch Secretary
Maritime Union of Australia
Sydney Branch
