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My role in the @MaritimeUnionAU (MUA) is National Indigenous Officer and elected NT Dep Branch Secretary.
I was on the wharf in 1998, barely 20yo, when Patricks Stevedores physically dragged wharfies from our workplaces & locked us out of our livelihoods - to destroy our union.
I was on the wharf in 1998, barely 20yo, when Patricks Stevedores physically dragged wharfies from our workplaces & locked us out of our livelihoods - to destroy our union.
A union is a collective of workers, pooling resources & using unity to achieve better wages, conditions, safety & industry policy. In Au, unions have achieved outcomes for all of society; most notably minimum conditions, universal healthcare & super.
But what unions have done for all of us goes further. Unions fight for many social justice causes. For eg, among many such actions, my union boycotted ships bound for South Africa to pressure the apartheid regime. We’ve taken action for First Nations rights here at home too.
The union movements important role as a voice for workers & for social justice is the reason why Howard sought to destroy the @MaritimeUnionAU in ‘98. The LNP represents wealthy, ideological elites who want to disempower workers so they can more easily exploit ppl, land & waters.
Before Howard and Patricks moved their goons on to the wharves to lock us out, there was a sustained media campaign to demonise wharfies & Union leaders.
These tactics were used in his campaign to silence a structured Voice for First Nations people as well - he repealed ATSIC
These tactics were used in his campaign to silence a structured Voice for First Nations people as well - he repealed ATSIC
