Maritime Union of Australia
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) was a union which covered waterside workers, seafarers, port workers, professional divers, and office workers associated with Australian ports. The MUA was formed in 1993 with merger of the Seamen's Union of Australia and the Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia.[1]
For the post-merger union, see Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union.Merged into
1993
2018
16,000 (2017)
National Secretary
Paddy Crumlin
2000–present
Warren Smith, Deputy National Secretary
Adrian Evans and
Jamie Newlyn Assistant National Secretaries
Mick Doleman Maritime International Federation Executive Officer
In 2017 the MUA had about 16,000 members. It was affiliated with the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the Australian Labor Party and the International Transport Workers Federation. From 2000 until its merger in 2018, Paddy Crumlin was National Secretary of the MUA and since 2010 he has been President of the ITF. He also holds the position of chair of the Dockers Section.
In late 2015, the MUA and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) commenced merger talks.[2][3] On 29 February 2016, at the MUA national conference, delegates voted unanimously in favour of the merger.[4][5] The Fair Work Commission approved the merger in March 2018.[6] The merged union was named the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union.
Politics[edit]
Influence with the Rudd government[edit]
In 2009 the union ran a campaign entitled Time for a Sea Change in Australian Shipping calling on the government to revitalise Australian shipping by giving tax incentives for the industry to invest in new ships, providing training for new seafarers, and introducing pro-union laws.[11] According to Glenn Milne, a Union Strategy document which was leaked in March 2008 reveals the union also wants a return to pattern bargaining.[12]
At the same time, in April 2008 the union began pushing for access to Howard government strategy documents, which it believes will show ministers conspired with Patrick Corporation to smash the union.[13] The timing of this move was potentially damaging for the union as Julia Gillard was in the process of talking to employers, in an attempt to rewrite the Howard government's workplace relations system. One editorial in the Australian Financial Review said that Paddy Crumlin had done the workplace relations debate a "big favour" by trying to "revive the ghosts of the [1998 waterfront dispute]" because the union's power could show Labor that industries such as cafes, restaurants and accommodation needed flexibility but were being "shut out of consideration because their lobbies are less powerful".[14]
Merger with CFMEU (2016)[edit]
In late 2015, the MUA and CFMEU entered into merger talks to create "Australia's most powerful union".[2][3]
On 29 February 2016, at the MUA national conference, delegates voted unanimously in favour of a merger with the CFMEU.[4][5]
The Fair Work Commission approved the merger in March 2018.[6]
Notable officials include:
Blake Prize for Human Justice[edit]
From 2009 to 2014, the MUA sponsored the Blake Prize for Human Justice.[15][16]