BY DAVE
ANDREWS
FREMANTLE As the quadrennial elections for all full-time position in the Maritime Union of Australia looms, a serious challenge to the incumbents has emerged from the ranks of the union.
The MUA Rank and File team is challenging nearly all national and state officials in the election, which begins on April 14 and finishes on June 16.
At the previous election in 1999, the MUA Rank and File performed well, with well-respected activist Chris Cain narrowly losing in Western Australia. This time it appears the challenge will be even stronger, with a larger electoral ticket involving wider layers of seafarers and wharfies.
Anger and frustration within the industry at widespread restructuring in ports and shipping is strong and has been steadily increasing, particularly since the Patrick dispute five years ago.
With the vigorous aid of the federal government, the shipping bosses have been largely successful in undermining the working conditions of workers on the waterfront. Of great concern to MUA members is the casualisation of the work force, where once permanent jobs are being replaced.
Most MUA members would agree that their full-time officials done little to resist the bosses' attacks. This has led many to campaign for the MUA Rank and File ticket.
However, there are serious obstacles being placed in the road of what should be a fair and democratic election.
The MUA is the only union in Australia to conduct its own elections. While an admirable notion, unless the rules are transparent and equitable for all in the union, it opens up the MUA to charges of ballot rigging.
There were serious allegations concerning the vote at the last election four years ago. In response, the MUA implemented some electoral rule changes, such as only one electoral roll being issued before the postal ballot commenced. In the 1999 elections, candidates received up to four electoral rolls during the course of the ballot.
However, other changes are being sought by the challengers, including a locked bag for postal ballots. This would avoid the previous practice of placing postal votes in an unsecured bag in an unlocked room in the MUA national office. A locked bag containing returned votes could only be opened at the end of polling under the watchful eyes from scrutineers.
However, despite numerous requests, the MUA national returning officer has rule out securing ballots for the eight weeks of the elections.
Of the 28 full-time MUA officials, 21 are being challenged for their positions. The MUA Rank and File is challenging three of the four national officers. A full ticket is contesting positions in WA and Melbourne.
With limited resources, the Rank and File team has also found access to ports and ships hard, particularly in outlying regional areas. Full-time officials are managing to secure company funds to fly them to such ports on industrial issues and using the time to campaign for the incumbents.
From Green Left Weekly, April 2, 2003.
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