About 100 supporters assembled around 11am this morning (Tues 5 June), outside the CSR property on Lyell St, Yarraville, where the Ormiston is docked. The crew were notified during the morning that they were expected to bring the boat to Webb Dock at 3pm this afternoon. One of the workers said:

This morning’s community assembly was held in solidarity with the crew of the Ormiston, who expected to be told this afternoon that their boat is to be decommissioned, and replaced by a ship bearing foreign flags, crewed by foreign workers.

“We will probably have to strip her. Take everything off, all our personal effects, move out of our home away from home. 134 years of CSR on this coast, it’s now the end of an era.”

“The Howard government’s trying to get rid of Australian seafarers and Australian ships. Where’s it going to stop? It’s not going to stop until we stop it.”

Suspicions have been raised this week that another assault on the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and its members is underway. MUA Victorian Branch Secretary, Kevin Bracken, this morning told a community assembly that “we’re watching our work go bit by bit. It’s a fight we’ve got to have everywhere”.

Later this afternoon the Port of Melbourne stepped in, apparently worried that once docked the Ormiston may become a site of protest. It has denied the Ormiston a berth, and she is currently anchored at sea. A berth at Geelong or Sydney will be sought.

It is expected that further Community Assemblies will be held in support of MUA members in coming weeks.

more info: Extensive background | Successful fight in Port Kembla to keep MUA jobs | www.mua.org.au

Labels: Community Assemblies