nternational Vice-President Ray Familathe and International Secretary Treasurer Willie Adams are seen here along with the other delegates from mining and maritime unions around the world.
Leading international mining and maritime unions representing millions of workers around the world met in Auckland, New Zealand in early November to plan for the Mining and Maritime Initiatives international conference next year in Durban, South Africa. They discussed ways to work together, increase solidarity and more effectively represent members in the globalized world of the maritime and mining industries.
“The spirit of international solidarity resonates now more than ever because of the disputes that are occur- ring all over the world,” said Willie Adams, Secretary-Treasurer of the International Longshore and Warehouse Workers Union, who attended the meeting along with ILWU Vice- President Ray Familathe. “Workers need to stick together and support these fights whether it’s in Boron, Mexico City, or Auckland. With capitalists trying to destroy the working class, every little victory is important,” Adams said.
Adams and Familathe thanked the delegates for supporting Local 30 members who won their struggle with mining giant Rio Tinto. Delegates were told that another showdown with the company was looming for Local 20 in Wilmington, CA next year.
“The solidarity Local 30 received from unions around the world was critical,” Adams said. “It showed them that they are not alone.”
Mick Doleman, Mining and Maritime Initiative Chair and Deputy National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, said the international union formation brings together unions with common interests.
Doleman said, the militant tradition in the mining and maritime industries means that the affiliated unions were already actively involved in inter- national solidarity actions. “The globalized structure of the mining and maritime industries requires a global response from workers,” he added.
Holding the meeting in Auckland was an opportunity to discuss some of the major union issues in the Asia Pacific region and New Zealand itself. The massive development of the offshore oil and gas industry in the region was a major focus of interest during the week, as was promot- ing the development of unionism in nations of the region. An upcoming international solidarity action against mining giant Grupo Mexico was also discussed.
The Mining and Maritime Initiative brings together global unions including the Maritime Union of Australia, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) from North America, CFMEU (Min- ing and energy – Australia), United Steel Workers (North America), NUM (National Union of Minework- ers – South Africa), ILA (Interna- tional Longshoremen’s Association – North America), SATAWU (South Africa Transport and Allied Work- ers 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.
The Mining and Maritime Initiative will hold its international conference in 2011 in South Africa.