From Louisiana to Havana

By Maritime Union of Australia

It was a journey that took us both sides of the fence - Joe Deakin

Houma is in Louisiana's Deep South. And it was here along with officials from unions in Norway, Scotland, Southern Ireland and Britain that we met up with officials from the Offshore Mariners' United (OMU), Gulf Coast Mariners' Association.

Day one of the ITF Affiliates Conference, we boarded buses and headed further South towards Port Fourchon and the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way we were confronted with hundreds of massive yellow signs along the road and on factory walls screaming "There is no YOU in Unions" - signs authorised by the far right Concerned Citizens for the Community. At the same time ads were broadcast over the radio each half-hour threatening: "If you join a union you could lose your house and all your assets."

Our first stop was Smith's Shipyards where we filmed and photographed sheds where illegal employees were locked up over night and paid a pittance to work in atrocious conditions. But before we were finished two pickup trucks arrived and blocked the exit gate locking us in. We were then confronted by management, asking what we were doing on private property. It took some talking before we were permitted to leave.

Next stop was to speak with shipyard employees about their working conditions and the benefits of belonging to a union. They had all been brainwashed over many years that unions are no help and only take your money.

Once again management appeared and asked us what we wanted. Then a police car arrived and the patrolman joined the interrogation. And not long after heading off down the road 10 patrol cars stopped us and the police ordered us off the bus. After asking us the nature of our business, they said they were detaining us. We had to show our identification and be subjected to a further two hours of interrogation before being permitted to proceed. But the patrol cars followed us everywhere we went.

The ITF conference lasted five days. During this time we learnt of the thousands of mariners in the Gulf of Mexico who work long hours in treacherous conditions in the oil and gas industry. While working in the rich oil and gas industry, their pay and benefits pale in comparison to other American mariners.

Trico is one of the culprits. The same company that abuses non-union workers in the US, has signed up to a union contract in the North Sea. Mariners enjoy the benefits - better wages, entitlements and working conditions. Likewise Tidewater exploits the Gulf but operates above board in Australia.

We were amazed at the pressure officials of the Offshore Mariners' United endured every day and night. The last day was extremely emotional. We had all come to understand the enormous sacrifices these people were making to provide workers in the Gulf of Mexico with better wages and conditions.

We then drove back to New Orleans and on the Friday attended a rally outside of the Trico Shareholders' meeting. Field Director, David Eckstein had us chanting slogans about Trico and Joe Deakin was always the leader. We managed to get to the 45th floor to voice our disapproval about the way Trico conducted its business, but were asked to leave soon after.

Cuba was a totally different experience. Our delegation was welcomed with open arms.

The Cuban people seemed very content. Signs of the revolution are in main streets all over the city. But it was like going back to the fifties with dilapidated buildings, old Chev and De Soto vehicles everywhere.

Secretario General, Villamil Jose Luis Justo (SNTMMPP) and his officials looked after us very well . Around 30 delegates from around Cuba attended the three day conference and the Australian delegation were not shy when it came to asking questions as we eager to gain knowledge to bring back to Australia. All too soon we learnt of the massive struggles the Cuba people have had to wage due to the US embargo.

Issues such as globalisation, working conditions, legislation, and economic policy were all discussed. And I had the good fortune to address around 200 Cubans at a rally wishing them fraternal greetings from Australia and that their struggles may one day come to fruition.

Thanks to Joe Deakin and Ted Jackson. Both these delegates were a credit to the Maritime Union, eager to learn of the struggles in the Gulf of Mexico and Cuba.

Mick Cottrell
Secretary Victorian Branch.