NATIONAL COUNCIL
COUNCIL N IN THE AGE OF COVID-19 Union holds its first online council meeting in midst of global pandemic
ational Council of the Maritime Union of Australia division, Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union met in October, for the first time since the World Health Organisation declared a global pandemic. National Indigenous officer and Honorary NT Deputy Branch Secretary Thomas Mayor opened conference with an acknowledgement of country and First Nations people. Using online technology, linking national with branch offices around the country, councillors came together to consider issues confronting the union. “The world has changed, and it won’t change back,” said National Secretary Paddy Crumlin. “But the threats haven’t changed. The polarisation of power, globally, the widening gap between the haves and have nots and the massive consolidation of wealth have never been greater.” Over two days, councillors considered key campaigns, policies and priorities in support of workingclass rights identified at the union’s Quadrennial National Conference in March the which will go to a vote of members at Annual General Meetings in November. Guest speakers included Labor leader Anthony Albanese, infrastructure shadow minister Catherine King, WA Labor Senator Glenn Sterle and Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus. International guests included Symplicio Marques Ximenes Founder and President, AMTL - Maritime Union Timor Leste and Serafico Natalino Soares (Raffi) Board Management, AMTL.
“The world has changed, and it won’t change back. But the threats haven’t changed.” Councillors stand for one minutes silence in honour of the 50th anniversary of the collapse of the WestGate Bridge, Victoria’s worst industrial accident and the 35 workers who died.
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– Paddy Crumlin
www.mua.org.au
