Charleston 5
By Maritime Union of Australia
Dear Comrades, MUA members on board the Australian manned LNG
carrier Northwest Snipe, are fully aware of the situation that
your union and five wharfies face in your efforts to defend yourselves
against union busting, discrimination of delegates and political
grandstanding from people seeking a higher office off the back
of the working class.
We have seen your situation evolve from Nordana's tactics, through
to the excessive force of the South Carolina police force and
the trumped up charges of inciting a riot which we understand
carries a heavy prison term.
It is a pity that the South Carolina, which we believe still flies
the Confederate flag on its State building, is one of only two
states not to recognise Martin Luther King Day and the anomalies
in the Supreme Court Bench, do not recognise the fact that workers
the world over have the right to bargain and withdraw their labour.
It is not that long ago that our union faced similar tactics to
destroy it, and replace the entire workforce with scab labour.
In the process of this union busting exercise we faced federal
politicians cheering, celebrating and patting themselves on the
back as union members were removed from their place of work by
hooded thugs with rottweilers and in some cases the use of excessive
police power and intimidation tactics.
International solidarity played a large part in the eventual successful
outcome of that dispute.
We wish to offer our full support and solidarity. We know our
Sydney Branch Secretary and a group of rank and file members recently
approached the US Consulate in Sydney and expressed our dissatisfaction
and disgust at the treatment of the members of Local 1422. The
response was to "Put your faith in the US justice system" - a
scary thought considering a number decisions over the past few
years that have exonerated the ruling forces.
As Frederick Engels said "it's testimony to the frenzy of which
the ruling class is capable as soon as the working class dares
to stand up for its rights".
In closing, we are with you 100 per cent in your struggle for
union coverage and in defending the unjust charges faced by some
of your members.
WORKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE.
MUA Members
Northwest Snipe
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