The following article was published in "The Guardian", newspaper of the Communist Party of Australia in its issue of Wednesday, September 25th, 2002. Contact address: 65 Campbell Street, Surry Hills. Sydney. 2010 Australia. Phone: (612) 9212 6855 Fax: (612) 9281 5795.
CPA Central Committee: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> "The Guardian": <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Webpage: http://www.cpa.org.au> Subscription rates on request. ****************************** Globalising Solidarity. International TU conference Corporate globalisation entails the removal of all barriers to the accumulation of wealth by the biggest corporations on the planet. Proponents of globalisation demand complete freedom and control over the flow of trade, capital and labour. Governments around the world are complying with or being forced to adopt the policies demanded by big capital with devastating consequences for both the people and the environment. There is a growing realisation that workers from all corners of the globe must unite in their struggle against the corporate giants and the system of capitalism. This was the case at a conference on globalisation that was held in Newcastle September 18-20. by Warren Smith The conference was sponsored by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and the Mining and Energy division of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU). The conference did much more than recognise the perilous state of affairs brought about by globalisation. It decided that the way forward is through co-ordinated solidarity activity and practical support of each other's struggles. The International Trade Union Solidarity Seminar played host to over 230 working men and women from maritime and mining unions across the world. They included trade union representatives from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, the USA as well as Australia. Delegates unanimously adopted what has been termed "The Newcastle Declaration". The impacts of globalisation were universally recognised, and the necessity for workers to unite was a dominating theme. This was reflected by CFMEU National Secretary John Maitland when he said, "At its strongest the trade union movement has always been internationalist. With more and more industries and nations dominated by global corporations it is more important than ever that workers respond by creating international networks to protect and advance our interests and those of our communities." John Maitland is also the President of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM). Many fine contributions were made over the three-day conference. However, fine words are of little practical value if they are not backed with activity. The refreshing difference at this conference was the determined commitment that their words would be backed by action. Solidarity actions are already being organised in support of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) dockworkers on the West Coast of the USA. They are engaged in a massive dispute with employers and the Bush Government that could threaten the very future of that union. The main speakers at the opening of conference business were MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin and CFMEU Mining and Energy Division, General President Tony Maher. Both speakers painted a graphic picture of the injustices of the current policies of corporate globalisation, highlighting the massive monopolisation of their respective industries. Monopolisation is particularly prevalent in the mining industry due to mergers and takeovers. There are now only nine big mining corporations. Both Mr Crumlin and Mr Maher thanked the international delegates for the support that their unions had been given in their recent disputes, notably the 1998 waterfront dispute and the Rio Tinto campaign. Other speakers of note were David Cockroft, General Secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF); Greg Combet, ACTU Secretary; and NSW Premier Bob Carr. The conference also moved resolutions opposing war against Iraq and for action to promote women in the mining and maritime industries and within the respective unions. Action The Newcastle Declaration evolved from "having deliberated on the impact of globalisation on our members, their families and our societies, with the aim of developing practical and effective responses". The Declaration summarises many of the reports given to the conference that "illustrated rapid globalisation of mining and maritime transport industries and the rise of fewer more powerful global corporations, whose primary aim is to maximise profits for shareholders". It points out that the direct effect of those policies is unemployment, casualisation and privatisation, as well as attacks on trade unions, pay and working conditions. The declaration for the most part concerns itself with practical responses, which include union education, international exchange programs, further exploration of alliances at all levels, the promotion of women in industry and in the union movement, organising the unorganised, exploring the idea of a global workers' charter, highlighting local struggles to inspire fellow workers, organising regular international days of action and forming alliances and joint actions with social movements on issues of mutual concern. The declaration goes on to pledge the "full financial, political and industrial support for the ILWU in the current struggle with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) for a new contract for members on the West Coast." Two other compacts accompany the Newcastle Declaration, one being the maritime and mining compact, and the other the mining compact. Signatories to the mining and maritime compact include the CFMEU, MUA, Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers - AIMPE (Australia). New Zealand Waterfront Workers Union - NZWWU NZ Seafarers Union (New Zealand). National Union of Mineworkers - NUM, South African Transport And Allied Workers Union (South Africa). ILWU, United Mineworkers of America - UMWA (USA). United Steel Workers Of America - USWA (USA & Canada). All Japan Dockworkers Union (Japan). Mining, Chemical and Energy Industrial Union - IGBCE (Germany). Mining and Maritime Compact The Mining and Maritime Compact sets as its goals closer working arrangements between the signatories, as well as joint strategies and the development of comprehensive research and analysis. It aims to build a global campaign to strengthen and improve existing collective agreements, as well as holding companies accountable to respecting and implementing core ILO standards. One of the initial areas of struggle has been identified as flag of convenience bulk commodity shipping where there is a definite link between the mining and maritime sectors. Mining Compact The Mining Compact, which starts with the fine slogan "A miner is a miner anywhere in the world", has as its signatories the CFMEU, IGBCE, NUM, UMWA, USWA and the ILWU. The Compact deals with points specific to the mining industry. It urges companies to sign on to a global compact and to intensify efforts to have global labour agreements implemented. The building of international solidarity links to heighten struggle in the interests of the world's working class is certainly the way forward. This conference was indeed a great success and we congratulate the CFMEU and the MUA for the commitment to internationalism that has always been at the forefront of the thinking of these two great unions. After the conclusion of the conference delegates went to Sydney where the two host unions held a function at Randwick Racecourse in celebration of trade unionism. The main themes were the 130th anniversary of the formation of both the Sydney Wharf Labourer's Union and the Victorian Branch of the Seaman's Union. This also coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Waterside Workers' Federation and the 100th birthday of Eliot V Elliot, renowned former Seaman's Union leader, and the 104th birthday of legendary WWF leader "Big" Jim Healy. The function was a big success and, as they say, a great time was had by all. .. -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Sub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
