Tributes from around the world

"We have lost a great trade unionist. Comrade Tas Bull leaves behind a great legacy for all of us to follow and emulate. The best tribute would be to pledge and re-dedicate ourselves to the man's ideals and commitment to the cause of the working masses."
-- Umraomal Purohit, ITF President

Letters from the four corners of the globe celebrating the life of Tas Bull

Tas Bull: Second to None

I recall working with Tas down below on a ship called the Ballarat which was berthed at Pyrmont. It was loading bagged wheat which would break any worker's heart. It was the heaviest of bagged cargo and a bastard to carry and stack. The job eventually took four weeks to complete and in the height of summer too.

Tas was the job delegate and I was part of the made up gang.

It was over 100 degrees down below and we had the notorious foreman Joe Slattery down the pit geeing us up.

Tas had had enough. Long before this famous line by British actor John Hurt in the classic movie "The Elephant Man" and after much cajoling and smirking from Slattery, he threw down the bag off his shoulder at Joe's feet, looked him straight in the eye and said: "We are men, we are not animals. So load the fucking wheat yourself."

I make no apology for the language. Of course we were all sacked as was the rest of the ship, but we won the battle over heat and conditions and all were reinstated without loss of pay and went home to boot as it was too hot to work.

Yes, many men like Tas helped to and still are helping to change these things.

Len Carter

and wife Carole

Internationalist

Tas was one of the key contributors for re-establishing ITF activities in the Asia Pacific Region. His commitment to the trade union movement internationally continued even after his retirement from the front line job and the ITF was one of the beneficiaries of his APHEDA work. As a result of his direct work the ITF developed contacts with transport unions in Cambodia and Vietnam which were struggling to recover from the devastation of the Vietnam War. We are very thankful to Tas as a real internationalist and we will develop the union movement.

Shigeru Wada,

International Transport Workers' Federation

Great Legacy

We have lost a great trade unionist. Comrade Tas Bull leaves behind a great legacy for all of us to follow and emulate. The best tribute would be to pledge and re-dedicate ourselves to the man's ideals and commitment to the cause of the working masses.

Umraomal Purohit

ITF

Fearless

Tas was known and respected internationally as a trade union thinker and activist, fearless in his adherence to his principles as a trade unionist. His lead given in the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) was inspirational.

Dave Morgan,

Maritime Union of NZ

Like Harry

We shall miss his presence, guidance and opinion on all matters that affect the working class worldwide. I always considered Tas a chip off the old block. He was so much like Harry.

Al Perisho

California

In the Palm of His Hand

Tas was a man who could hold the world in the palm of his hand, such was the respect in which he was held by the international trade union movement.

Mark Dickinson

NUMAST, UK

Great Trade Unionist

The entire port workers of India sincerely mourn the sad demise of the great trade unionist. His wide experience in trade union matters enlightened the Executive Board of the ITF for several years. The Indian port workers salute the departed leader.

PM Mohammed Haneef

AIP & DWF

In Tune

Tas struck me as someone who was in tune with the membership and extremely perceptive in his analysis of developments in the maritime industry. This combination seemed to be vital to the protection of workers' interests and the continued strength of the WWF/MUA.

Professor Peter Turnbull

Cardiff University

Legacy

Few leaders in our time could measure up to the contribution made by Tas to better the lives of working Australians.

Tas has left a legacy that has and will continue to touch us all for a very long time.

Sharan Burrow

ACTU

Shared Loss

Tas Bull had always been enthusiastic about strengthening the ties between dockworkers of Japan and Australia. The death of the great union activist is a loss. Japanese dockworkers share Australian dockworkers' sorrow.

Kenji Yasuda

All Japan Dockworkers' Union

Truly Admired

One of the most truly admired and respected trade union leaders of modern times. Tas was a popular member of the ITF family and most prominent in docker and seafarer's issues over a long period of time. Everyone in the ITF family was truly touched by his sincerity and concern for the working class and we will surely miss his great commitment to the cause.

Matt Purcell,

Australian ITF Inspectors

True Blooded

I remember Bro Tas when I accompanied him to Cebu, Philippines. Judging from his actions, he is indeed a true blooded trade unionist that will be missed by the workers all over the world.

German N Pascua, Jr

Philippine Seafarers Union - ITF

Hero

On behalf of the 500 sacked Liverpool dockworkers, we pass on our condolences to all at the MUA on the sad loss of Tas Bull. We know the standing and acclaim that the members gave to Tas.

He was a true leader of men and a real working class hero.

Jim Nolan and Terry Teague

Liverpool, UK

Towering

Tas Bull was a towering trade unionist and a source of inspiration and motivation to many in the younger generation.

Mahendra Sharma and colleagues

ITF Delhi Office

Friend of the Oppressed

Tas Bull was a friend of the Palestinian people and all oppressed people in the world and will be missed by all.

Ali Kazak

Ambassador of Palestine to Vanuatu

Extraordinary Calibre

I knew Tas for over 30 years as both a friend and a colleague.

On behalf of the Labor Party it's my sad but proud duty to pay my respects to a great leader and a great man.

Tas was a courageous leader but always had the common touch. He was never afraid to stand up for what was right and always defended the rights of his members - in fact anyone who needed his help.

His great strength was his ability to relate to and empathise with people, understand their issues and always look forward.

Maritime workers in particular are fortunate to have had a leader of his extraordinary calibre. The trade union movement and the nation benefited enormously from his contribution.

His life is an inspiration to all who devote their lives to the service of working people.

Simon Crean

ALP Leader

Caring

We remember him as a sympathetic and caring person, supportive of our work as well as many other organisations.

Olfat Mahmoud

Burj el-Barajneh Refugee Camp, Beirut

First Class Bloke

Tas Bull was a first class union leader, internationalist and stalwart of the World Peace Movement.

Put in simple terms, a first class bloke and comrade to the oppressed people.

Barry Norrie

Kowulka

Legend

Tas, the man with a gruff exterior and golden heart distinguished himself in his tireless struggle to overturn injustice where it was found, never sitting idly by to bear witness to wrongdoing.

(He) achieved the rare distinction of becoming a legend with his fellow workmates, the labour movement and the broad Australian community.

John Della Bosca

NSW

Unceasing Struggle

Brother Tas Bull was for years the friend of trade unions and working people of Vietnam.

He was not only the leader of Australian trade union movement but also a leader of international labour movement. His life is really the life of unceasing struggle, the struggle for better future of labouring people. We will never forget his contribution.

Nguyen Van Dung

Vietnam General Confederation of Labour

Always Remembered

The achievements he made in national and international labour movement will always be remembered.

Sakae Idemoto

All Japan Seamen's Union

Shared Loss

Tas Bull had always been enthusiastic about strengthening ties between dockworkers of Japan and Australia. His recent activities included educational training of labourers in the Asia Pacific region.

The death of the great union activist is a loss. Australian dockworkers' sorrow is shared by the Japanese dockworkers.

Kenji Yasuda

All Japan Dockworkers' Union

Dock Hero

Friends, comrades and colleagues around the world knew Tas as the strong delegate from the Australian Wharfies and as the Dockers Section Vice Chair. He was loved and respected and for many port workers who got to know him, he was one of those old famous heroes from the docks. Once you met him you never forget him.

Kees Marges

Dockers' Section Secretary

Courageous

His loss is a great sorrow not only to your union but also to our community as a whole.

We will miss him and his courageous leadership, as you all will.

Oh Moon Hwan, Technical Advisor

Korean Federation of Port & Transport Workers' Union

Highest Esteem

Tas will be remembered and gauged with the ultimate regard in the Rank & File membership, the grass roots held Tas in the highest esteem, which I believe is the highest accolade that any leader of organised labour can achieve.

Trevor Munday

Kevin Munday

Good Friend

I have lost a very good friend and I mourn this loss. He has always supported me in all my projects for the union and for that I am truly grateful.

Capt. Gregorio S. Oca, President

Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines

Father for Social Justice

We have known that Mr Tas Bull was the great father for Social Justice. The Vientiane Municipal Women's Union is very sorry to hear that Mr. Tas Bull has passed away.

Bang On Sayarath

People's Republic of Laos

Pivotal

Tas Bull is the only founder who tried his efforts to integrate the Sihanoukville Port Workers Union into the first ITF affiliated union in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Although he passed away from us, his eminent reputation and pivotal workmanship are still left behind as the most important pioneer for all of us and our younger generation.

Hang Dory

Cambodia

Inspiration

I have known Tas for less than two years, but he remains an inspiration in my life, especially now in my work in democracy and development here in East Timor. Always down to earth, Tas' commitment to ordinary people was unshakable and made us all re-examine our own actions and motivations. We will miss him mightily. Our thoughts today are with his family who should know that Tas will always remain in the hearts of all those whose lives he touched.

Karen Polglize

Dili, Timor Leste

Respected Comrade

Tas was a highly respected comrade who worked tirelessly to further the interests of workers.

As a member of the ALP for nearly 30 years, Tas's passing will also be mourned by the Party - by those at the local branch level as well as those in the NSW branch and beyond.

Sue Mackay, Warren Snowdon, Jan McLucas, Tanya Plibersek

Conveners of the Federal Parliamentary Left

Inspiring

Tas is among the most inspiring and formidable people I've ever met. He has left a considerable legacy to the Labour movement and to working people for all of us to build upon.

Harriet Adams

Organising Works Graduate

Wise Man

Tas was known to us as a unionist, a historian, a humanitarian, and a kind, gentle and wise man.

We were saddened to hear of his death.

Jill Iliffe

Australian Nursing Federation

Dedicated

Tas dedicated his working life to representing the dockworkers, and trying to improve their working conditions. In retirement, instead of enjoying a well-earned rest, he remained active in the ACTU, continuing to work on behalf of those who were less privileged. I have no doubt at all that he will be greatly missed.

Bill Morris

TGWU

Exceptional Labour Leader

Tas was an exceptional labour leader who left a permanent imprint of his compassion and dedication to the working class on all those who came to know him or hear him speak. It was always our pleasure to have him attend one of our longshore division caucuses where he would so eloquently address significant issues confronting waterfront and other workers.

James Spinosa, International President (ILWU)

Robert McEllrath, International Vice President (ILWU)

Mark of Greatness

It was a privilege and pleasure to have got to known Tas, if only a little and often from the other side of an argument. I think it is certainly a mark of the greatness of your union over the years that you have produced people like Tas Bull.

Richard Bunting

Blake Dawson Waldron

Foundation Member

(He was) both generous and practical in his contribution to the struggle for democracy in Zimbabwe.

We respect and celebrate Tas Bull for the warm person he was and for the life of militant trade unionism, socialism and international solidarity he lived.

Peter Murphy,

Zimbabwe Information Centre Inc.

At the Forefront

Tas, as we all lovingly called him, had always maintained very broad and good relations with our Merchant Marine and Longshoremen, Dock and Fishery National Workers' Union, with the Cuban Workers' Trade Union Central and with the Cuban people as a whole. He was always in the forefront supporting our struggles, the Cuban revolution, as well as our achievements and gains.

The Cuban trade unionists, our people and his friends will never forget him.

Central de Trabajadores de Cuba