Plan and process

The nuts and bolts of conference

Faced with profound global political and industrial changes driven by the neo-conservative agenda, the union's collective leadership decided on a new, more dynamic and responsive national plan to help protect and advance the interests of the membership and the working class generally.

This plan was presented and endorsed at the 2004 National Conference to guide the union's work over the four years to 2008.

Key features of the approach were:

• A flatter organisational structure, with training of officers, staff and delegates to build capability

• Greater internal communication and involvement, to maximise participation and effective use of union resources

• An organising and project management approach to our work.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Some key achievements of the union over the past four years included:

• Mobilising union resources to overturn the anti-union industrial and other regressive policies of the former Howard Government

• Campaigning for retention of Australian seafaring and shipping

• Developing a National Stevedoring Code of Practice and advanced income and job security for waterside workers.

As well the union has built strategic alliances with unions in Australia and internationally, established the Canberra Political Resource Centre, mobilised the diverse elements of our membership - youth, women, indigenous and veterans - and built community links, particularly through our strong participation in the yr@w campaign.

A full report on all progress and action on the 2004 National Conference Resolutions was tabled together with a full report on all political, industrial and international work of the union over that time including administration and finances and the participation of the union in the industries two superannuation funds and the Maritime Workers Credit Union.

Every delegate received all reports well in advance if the 2008 Conference for consideration.

KEY AIMS 2008 - 2012

In the months leading up to this year's conference national officials developed the next stage of the national plan to be considered, modified and determined by the conference delegates. It outlines the policies and activities of the union for the next four years.

National officials outlined the plan to conference delegates for discussion and endorsement. Further motions from workplaces and branches went to conference workgroups made up of delegates for discussion and amendment before reporting back to the full conference in the plenary session, where final discussion amendment and endorsement took place.

The resolutions from the national reports and workgroups form the policy of the Maritime Union as determined by delegates for the next four years until the next quadrennial Conference of Delegates.

A full list of the resolutions adopted at conference can be found in the Members' Only section

http://www.mua.org.au/news/general/resol.html