SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE FOR THE AUSTRALIAN WHARFIES (SCAW) BULLETIN #2

LA DOCKS SHUTDOWN IN SUPPORT OF AUSTRALIAN WHARFIES!
Saturday May 9, 1998

The Columbus Canada, loaded by Patrick Stevedore scabs in Australia, arrived at Matson, Berth 208 Terminal Island in the Port of Los Angeles on Saturday, May 9. Before the 8 A.M. shift began, ILWU Locals 13 and 63 longshore workers, themselves angry at Patrick's firing last month of all its 2,000 wharfies, members of the Maritime Union of Australia, refused to cross a mass solidarity picket line of some 1,500 labor and harbor community activists.

The Australian dock strike nearly brought down the right-wing Howard government which has vowed to break the MUA, one of the country's most militant unions. Dubbed the "War on the Waterfront" by the Australian press, this labor battle has been won by the union through massive and defiant picket lines supported by the entire labor movement. Last Wednesday 100,000 marched in support of the wharfies in Melbourne. Although the dispute was tentatively resolved yesterday, scab-loaded ships are just now beginning to arrive on the West Coast of North America. 

The Pacific Maritime Association, which represents stevedoring companies and international shipping conglomerate on the West Coast has initiated an arbitration hoping to force longshoremen to work the ship. Matson gates have been locked and no cargo is being moved by trucks in or out of the terminal. Demonstrators chanting "We support the MUA; No scab cargo in L.A." and "MUA here to stay; No scab cargo in L.A." have effectively shut dock operations down.

Blue Star, which owns the Columbus Canada, ANZDL, APL, Mediterranean Shipping Lines and other shipowners have supported Patrick's union-busting efforts by loading at their scab docks during the lockout. Supporters of the Australian wharfies in West Coast ports will be demonstrating their solidarity on the docks, as well. After L.A. the Columbus Canada, is due to arrive in Oakland, where similar protests against the Neptune Jade occurred last year in support of the Liverpool dockers.

Fellow workers, join us on the solidarity picket line for the Australian wharfies! For more info call the Solidarity Committee for the Australian Wharfies. 510-845-0540.

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