Leading international mining and maritime unions representing millions of workers around the world met in Durban, South Africa this month for the Mining and Maritime Initiatives international conference. They discussed ways to work together, increase solidarity and more effectively represent members in the globalized world of the maritime and mining industries.

They passed the following resolution to show international solidarity in support of ILWU Local 21’s fight for longshore jurisdiction at EGT, a joint venture of Bunge, STX Pan Ocean, and Itochu:

M&M Conference Resolution in Support of ILWU

WHEREAS: Global mining and maritime unions representing millions of workers around the world have met in Durban, South Africa at the Fourth International Mining and Maritime Conference to discuss issues impacting the men and women working in mining and maritime industries; and

WHEREAS: The members of this body recognise that dockworkers affiliated with International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 21 in Longview, Washington, USA are under attack by employer EGT Development for standing up for their jobs and rights; and

WHEREAS: EGT Development is a multinational, joint venture of
Japan-based Itochu Corp, South Korea’s STX Pan Ocean and Bunge North America; and

WHEREAS: Bunge Grain alone operates in more than 30 countries and profited $2.5 billion in 2010; and

WHEREAS: EGT promised good jobs and got a special state tax exemption and a sweetheart lease deal from the public Port of Longview to build a $200 million grain terminal on port property and part of the lease deal was a provision that ILWU Local 21 labor be utilized in the facility and on the vessels calling at the facility; and

WHEREAS: ILWU Local 21 dockworkers have performed all longshore work on Port of Longview property for nearly 80 years; and

WHEREAS: ILWU Local 21 dockworkers are being arrested and subjected to unfair retaliatory police action for exercising their free speech and associational rights under the United States Constitution to protest EGT Development’s actions;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: This body of global mining and maritime unions representing millions of workers around the world proclaims its solidarity and full support with ILWU Local 21’s fight against EGT Development and stands ready to offer any support deemed necessary to aid ILWU Local 21 in its fight to protect community and jobs.

The Mining and Maritime Initiative brings together global unions including the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) from North America, CFMEU (Mining and energy – Australia), United Steel Workers (North America), NUM (National Union of Mineworkers – South Africa), ILA (International Longshoremen’s Association – North America), SATAWU (South Africa Transport and Allied Workers Union), UMWA (United Mine Workers – North America), and CEP-PWAWU (Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union – South Africa).

Global union federations also involved were the ITF (International Transport Workers Federation), ICEM (International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions) and IMF (International Metal Workers Federation).

New Zealand representatives include the hosting union the Maritime Union of New Zealand and the EPMU.