150 Years of Struggle

It all began in Melbourne in I872 with the first seamen’s union which two years later became the Federated Seamen’s Union of Australia.

The same year the first two local waterside workers’ unions formed; in Sydney, the Wharf Labourers Union; and in Adelaide, the Port Adelaide Working Men’s Association.

Within a year of Federation in 1902 the Waterside Workers’ Federation brought all local port unions together under national leadership and in 1906 the FSUA was renamed the Seamen’s Union of Australia.

Then in 1993 both unions joined to become the mighty Maritime Union of Australia.

Since 2018 the MUA has become a division of Australia’s most militant union, the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union. A lot happened in between. Throughout 2022 the MUA will be celebrating, commemorating, and honouring the milestones of 150 years of struggle that have made us what we are, a unique fighting union.

We kick off with a preview of some of the many events to come throughout the year and a new book documenting a century of union international solidarity - Maritime Men of the South Pacific: True Blue Internationals Navigating Labour Rights, 1906-2006.

A special edition of MWJ in Summer will look back over a year of commemoration and forward to the struggles to come. •

Main Events

Union celebrations have begun and will roll out throughout the year. Some are yet to be announced. So, stay tuned!

XH Bombing of Darwin

Stokes Hill Wharf, February 19: Commemorative Service. Just before 10am on this day, 1941, around 240 Japanese aircraft attacked Darwin. It was the first and largest single enemy attack on Australian soil. More than 200 people died, including 23 waterside workers. Each year maritime workers gather to honour their dead.

Gala Dinner

Sydney, October 13: International labour leaders join national councillors, veterans, delegates and guests for the 150th Anniversary main event, the official unveiling of the Sydney Wharfie’s Mural permanent exhibition at the National Maritime Museum and a museum plaque commemorating union bans against Dutch arms shipments in solidarity with Indonesian seafarers and Indonesia’s national independence struggle.

May Day

May 1, nationwide: Veterans march proudly holding the painted banners of old.

Banners, badges and books

MUA Training Centre, ground floor, 365 Sussex Street, Sydney, March 24, 6pm: The MUA historical exhibition of banners, badges and other memorabilia spanning over a century goes on show. The exhibition is open 9-11am and 1-3pm with guided tours by MUA veterans. Hosted by MUA National Office and MUA Sydney Branch, the exhibition runs until April 8.

Big Bands

Melbourne Picnic Day, The Big Shed, Seaworks Maritime Precinct, Williamstown, October 29: Melbourne branch celebrations include The Noisy Johnnies, the Vincent Emanuel rock and blues band, food, drink and entertainment for MUA workers, families and comrades.

Sisterhood

Melbourne Union Rooms, March 3: MUA Women’s Committee commemorates half a century of women on the waterfront, on deck, in the union and on the global stage. Also recognising the activist wives, sisters, mothers and daughters who preceded the working women of the waterfront and oceans.

International Youth Conference

Victoria Branch union rooms, Melbourne, August 24-25: Young workers in the maritime industry from around Australia deliberate on the importance of youth activism throughout history, with a special panel session held by veterans.

Fremantle Fair

A 150th function in Fremantle will be announced in the second half of the year subject to the state’s Covid-related restrictions.

Working Waves

Solidarity on the water at Soldiers Beach, Norah Head, NSW, March 25, 7am-4pm: The Working Waves Surf Competition is the centrepiece of the Hunter 150th celebrations.

Pro Bono Omnes

SA Branch rooms, August 19: SA branch commemorates the founding of the first waterfront union the Port Adelaide Working Men’s Association on this day in 1872. The union motto was Pro Bono Omnes: For the Good of All. The workforce of around 500 wharfies won their first battles for set rates and hours. 150 years on Adelaide maritime workers commemorate their union roots with a 19th century style picnic day and fanfare. A photo display marking union historical highlights and battles – from the 1928 strike and CSL Yarra victory in Port Pirie to international solidarity – will be on permanent display in the union rooms.

Pig Iron Dispute

Port Kembla, November 15: Lights are on the Pig Iron Dispute Memorial: Local maritime workers will join busloads of Australia’s Chinese community from along the coast to commemorate the legendary pig iron dispute. On this day in 1938 waterside workers refused to load the Dalfram with a shipment of ore for Japan. Japan’s “Rape of Nanking” was underway and wharfies acted in solidarity with the people of China. Wharfies warned the pig iron would backfire. And it did - with the Japanese bombing of Darwin three years later. This is the first year lights will be installed on the sculpture commemorating the solidarity action.

First Nations

Sydney, September: First Nations wharfies and seafarers will come together for a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander member conference. From Wave Hill to Mabo, the union has a long history of solidarity with First Nations people. In 2022 the union enshrined a First Nations voice in the union constitution. Conference will focus on progressing constitutional change as a first priority of the newly elected government.

The Wharfie Professor

November 8, Devonport union rooms, Tasmania: The wharfie Professor Ian McFarlane hosts talks and events commemorating the island’s union history.

Old Timers

December 9, Old Timers events: Tributes paid for the working conditions, job security, wages and workers’ super – all hard fought by union veterans for the next generation to defend and build on. •