ILWU delegation travels to Australia to celebrate MUA’s 150th anniversary

 A diverse delegation of ILWU members attended the 150th Anniversary of the Maritime Union of Australia in Sydney for several days of festivities from October 10th-14th.

Events included historical tours honoring the history of Australian wharfies and Indigenous culture and International Solidarity Day, which included trade unionists from around the world highlighting the common bonds shared by workers.

The celebration culminated in a gala dinner on Darling Island in Sydney Harbour that the history and the enormous contributions the MUA has made to the international union movement and working-class struggle. More than 600 guests attended the event, including delegations from unions around the world and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“The ILWU and the MUA are cut from the same cloth of militant, rank-and-file unionism,” said ILWU International President Willie Adams. “Our solidarity stretches across oceans and is an unbreakable bond of unity and friendship. We’ve always had their backs and they have always had ours and will continue to in the future.”

150 years of militant unionism

The MUA was created through an amalgamation of unions starting with the Sydney Wharf Labourers Union in 1872, which eventually lead to the formation of the Waterside Workers Federation in 1902. In 1906, several unions came together to form the Seamen’s Union of Australia. The MUA was formed in 1993 with the uniting of the Seamen’s Union of Australia and the Waterside Workers’ Federation. Throughout its 150 years, the MUA has been known for its internationalism and militant commitment to the betterment of maritime workers and the working class.

Shared history

The ILWU and MUA have a long, shared history that predates the official founding of the ILWU in 1937. ILWU co-founder Harry Bridges was a member of the Seamen’s Union of Australia before immigrating to the United States.   

Gala event                                                                                

Speaking at the gala event, the MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said that the various struggles, setbacks, and victories from MUA’s past would put it in a good position to continue fighting for the working class long into the future.

“We are proud of what we have achieved,” said Crumlin. “We are proud of everything we have stood up for. We are proud that we are providing a strong base for working men and women to live better lives, just as we have for 150 years.”

Crumlin said that the union’s success has always been tied to the international trade union movement.

“The great thing about the trade union movement, and particularly our beautiful union, is that if we made an achievement, we never made it without wanting to reach out to someone else – whether it’s the union next door, or down the supply chain, or anyone else under pressure around the world,” he said. “We have always had a sense in ourselves that if we’re able to win power, then we can translate that not just into a better life for ourselves and our families, but a better life for our community and for our own nation, and also for a better life for international working people.”

The gala featured contributions from the MUA’s pensioners, who they refer to as veterans, led by Jim Donovan and Fred Krausert, a retired seafarer who serves as the National President of the MUA’s Veterans. He reminded the gathering that despite being retired from the job, the vets remained wholly committed to the struggle. Krausert told the crowd of the many long, hard-won rights and entitlements that had been delivered by collective action and solidarity in the workplace.

Secretary-Treasurer Ferris 

International Secretary-Treasurer Ed Ferris spoke at the gala on behalf of the ILWU. “The relationship that we have with all of you is so precious to us,” Ferris said. “We’re all in this together; because we have each other’s backs, international solidarity is going to be the key to success.” 

ITF’s General Secretary Stephen Cotton sent a video message highlighting the impact made by the MUA far beyond Australia’s shores.

“The MUA continues to fight for Australian and international seafarers through the Flag of Convenience campaign and continues to fight for decent, safe work for dockers around the globe,” Cotton said. He also congratulated the MUA on recent political victories that will deliver new jobs on the Australian coast.

“Your anniversary comes at a time of promise for maritime workers in Australia,” Cotton continued. “Your new government represents hope for the union’s members, and the Albanese Labor Government’s promise to create an Australian-flagged and crewed strategic fleet was brought about through the MUA’s campaigning and strength.”

The event concluded with a speech by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who spoke of his great respect for the MUA and his gratitude for the contributions the union had made to Australia’s social and political fabric over its 150-year history.

“The MUA has been fighting for the aspirations of working people for such a long time,” said Prime Minister Albanese. “The journey from the Hungry Mile is an inspirational tale of adversity overcome, and an enduring lesson in the power and strength of collective action. The great truth of the story that we all share as members of this great labor movement, is that progress is never found at the end of a smooth road. The things worth doing, the changes worth making, are always hard going, always hard fought, and always hard-won, but we are always better for the battle and our country is always better for the victory, and that is something our opponents have never understood.”