The rally at the Kurnell refinery was organised by the ITF-affiliated Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and attracted speakers and supporters from six other unions – the Rail, Tram and Bus Union; the Transport Workers’ Union; the Australian Maritime Officers Union; the Fire Brigade Employee’s Union; the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union; and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.
The 36-strong crew remains on board the oil tanker Alexander Spirit, which has been languishing in Devonport, Australia for over three weeks, awaiting an order to sail to Singapore. The crew is contracted on the vessel until 2019 to transport Caltex fuel around Australia but learned that they would be sacked and replaced with a foreign crew when they arrived in Singapore. This came just a week before Caltex announced a half-year profit of USD375 million.
The MUA mounted industrial action but that was deemed illegal by the Fair Work Commission, which ordered it to cease. Five of the crew have left the ship on stress leave.
Leading the speeches, Steve Cotton said: “The ITF and its 4.6 million members bring their solidarity to Australian transport workers. We’ve watched what Caltex have been doing and we’re watching the situation over here about proper jobs for Australian men and women. Brothers and sisters we’re with you, long live the MUA.”
Paddy Crumlin, MUA national secretary and ITF president, criticised the Australian government for failing in its primary duty of protecting the Australian community, because it was not working to secure the future energy needs of the country.
See more about the rally.
Cotton joins protest over Caltex treatment of Alexander Spirit crew
news
ON THE GROUND
news
Global victory for platform workers as ILO Resolution passed
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has formally passed a Resolution committing to address decent work in the platform economy – a historic breakthrough for platform workers everywhere. For
news
Unifor workers in Canada ratify new CBA with DHL Express, ending labour dispute
Unifor members at DHL Express in Canada have voted to end a major labour dispute, reaching a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that delivers substantial gains for workers, including a 15.75%
news
ITF raises alarm over rising dangers to seafarers in Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and Israeli waters
The ITF voiced its concern this week to the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and Israeli ports and asked that these areas be designated as Warlike Operations