Nationwide protest

At the G

National Secretary Paddy Crumlin joined Victorian branch members at the "G" on November 30 to the tune of We Cannot Be Beaten by Angry Anderson and fighting images of mining and maritime workers.

As a clip of the MUA film Stolt Australia by MUA film-maker Viron Papadopoulos was broadcast nationwide on the ACTU Sky Channel hookup alongside the mining and maritime union sponsorship video by Russ Hermann, an estimated 5,000 maritime workers and miners joined more than 300,000 unionists and their families at 300 major city and regional centres in support of the ACTU Your Rights at Work, Worth Fighting and Voting For campaign.

"We had a fantastic turnout from MUA members on the day," said Kevin. "But it's an ongoing campaign so we must build on our collective resolve in everything we do to get rid of this rotten government and put in a government that does look after the needs of Australians."

Workers and their families heard speeches by ACTU leaders Greg Combet and Sharan Burrow, and Labor leader Kim Beazley alongside broadcasts of personal stories by workers worst affected by the Howard Government IR laws.

Alongside the MUA contingent were Tony Maher, Peter Murray and the CFMEU (Mining) executive along with Denis Carlyle, Joe Fleetwood and other comrades from the Maritime Union of NZ.

The event closed with the estimated 60,000 workers, many of whom had travelled from regional centres, dancing to Jimmy Barnes live singing Working Class Man, before marching through the streets of Melbourne to Federation Square.

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks also addressed the Melbourne rally with Qld Premier Peter Beattie speaking at the Brisbane rally and NSW Premier Morris Iemma marching alongside Sydney workers.

In Sydney Warren Smith, MUA, said the MUA contingent at the rally was the biggest of any union.

"We rolled out great numbers and enthusiasm," he said. "Our members were loud and active on the day. We had around 500 wharfies and seafarers marching under the Transport Union Federation banner alongside the RTBU and the TWU."

Chris Cain, WA branch also reported a big MUA turn out. "We had 6-7 buses of our members coming from north and eastside," he said.

In Brisbane, Mick Carr also reports excellent numbers from the MUA, of around 400-500 members.

In Wyong on the Central NSW Coast around 300 of the local community including some MUA members gathered at the Rugby League Club, Shannon Gleeson, MUA reports. "We had workers in their overalls, alongside teachers and veterans at the venue. Everyone loved the broadcast."

In Newcastle MUA workers and veterans joined 7,000 unionists at the football stadium, Len Covell, acting branch secretary reports. "We're proud of the MUA turnout. We are very happy with our members response."

Mark Armstrong, Port Kembla estimated around 300 tugs, linesmen, wharfies and seafarers, port corp workers and marine operators joined a crowd of around 8,000 at the local football stadium.

"We led the march alongside the miners," said Mark. "We had a guy done up in a monkey suit with a placard 'We don't work for peanuts' - that was a real crowd drawer."

Similar successful rallies were reported in Darwin, Townsville, Tasmania and Adelaide.

"Overall turnout was down, but we were very happy with our MUA team," said Jamie Newlyn, MUA, Adelaide. "It was fantastic."

National Secretary Paddy Crumlin congratulated MUA members nationwide for helping make the day a success.

The ACTU said workers rallied across Australia despite intimidation from the Federal Government and strong pressure to stay at work from many employers.

Under the new IR laws workers can be docked four hours pay for any unauthorised work stoppage and in businesses with less than 100 employees, workers have no protection from being sacked unfairly and can be sacked without warning.

A short film on the day of action by MUA filmmakers Viron Papadopoulos and Cooper Smith is in production.