wasnt going to post anything on this because i dont know if people other than the far left and actual unionists actually care about this and i have a kajillion projects to do but anyway... the maritime union of new zealand struck as 300 workers got sacked in an effort by the bosses to rehire workers on a casual basis, smash the union and destroy all that workers have gained in the way of work/living conditions through struggle. in response to this not only did the MUNZ strike but so did the maritime union of australia(illegally) when a scab ship tried to dock at DP world warf in port botany. the strike lasted about a few days before the fair wok australia commission intervened and called it off. this is in keeping with the fairwork commissions role as a tool of the bosses. there will be a rally in solidarity with the MUNZ tomorrow in sydney. the boat met with the same reaction at the port of wellington when it tried to dock. there was also a march in new zealand in which the MUNZ, the MUA, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, the International Transport Workers Federation, NZ Professional Firefighters Union, New Zealand Nurses Organisation, Australian Electrical Trades Union, Engineering and Printing and Manufacturing Union.
i think this says a lot about the role of the state in union/workers struggles, the union bureaucracy & the power of unions & the international character of workers struggles and it was a welcome occurance and brought to mind the old union slogans of "touch one, touch all" and "workers of the world unite!" what do you all think about it? links below:
http://www.mua.org.au/news/auckland-por ... are-legal/
http://www.mua.org.au/news/fight-on-as- ... redundant/
http://www.isonz.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02 ... ts-of.html
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-wo ... 1uqxe.html
http://www.mua.org.au/news/mua-delegati ... olidarity/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTsm90fu ... e=youtu.be
http://www.mua.org.au/news/dp-world-ind ... rder-2012/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-expr ... rt-workers
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?Whatever happens and even if I get beaten up a second or a third time, I will remain in the union. It is my soul,... If you knew what was happening inside the company, you would understand why I think like this.?- Spinneys workers union leader, lebanon.
18 Mar 2012, 2:03 am
